In Brief | Schools | 5-14-14

Konawaena Middle plans annual showcase

Konawaena Middle School will hold its annual curriculum showcase from 5:30 to 7 p.m. today at the school. The event celebrates student achievement with parents and community members and includes student performances, student work displays and refreshments.

For more information, contact Annie Zamber at 323-4566, ext. 255.

Project Grad receives grants

Project Grad recently received multiple grants totaling $11,000 from Hawaii Community Foundation’s Oscar L. &Ernestine H. Armstrong’s Advised Fund, Kukio Community Fund and the County of Hawaii’s contingency relief funds initiated by District 8 Representative Karen Eoff.

These grants will help in continuing Project Grad’s mission to provide a safe, alcohol-, tobacco- and drug-free annual event, offering an alternative to dangerous and potentially fatal celebrations.

The costs to run the event average more than $30,000 for approximately 250 students. With grants and community donations, the organization has been able to continue to facilitate the event and offer scholarships to qualified students to attend.

On average, 80 percent of Kealakehe’s graduating class participates in this event. Graduating seniors from West Hawaii Explorations Academy and qualifying home-schooled seniors are also invited to attend.

Kealakehe Project Grad is slated from 9 p.m. May 24 to 6 a.m. May 25. For registration and scholarship information visit khsprojectgrad.com.

WHEA offering online course

West Hawaii Explorations Academy offers a summer online foreign language course from June 2 through July 14. Students can earn 0.5 or 1.0 credit. Cost is $90.

Orientation will be from 8 to 10 a.m. June 3.

Applications are online at whea.net.

For more information, call 327-4751,

Students present ‘The Wizard of Oz’

The 21st Century Community Learning Center after-school tutoring and enrichment program at Kealakehe Elementary School presents “The Wizard of Oz.” This is the center’s ninth annual play production directed by Gene Behl and produced with Kealakehe Elementary School and Aloha Activation Ministries.

The play is presented at 6 p.m. May 22 and 23 in the school cafeteria. Advance tickets are $3; $5 at the door.

The program is accepting donations and advance tickets are available at alohaactivationministries.com.

Students awarded Dorrance Scholarships

Nine Hawaii Island students who will begin their studies at the University of Hawaii at Hilo in fall 2014 have been awarded Dorrance Scholarships.

The Dorrance Scholarship is an innovative, four-year award designed to benefit students who are the first in their family to attend college. Each year, the program awards as many as 10 students need-based scholarships of $8,000 per year to attend UH-Hilo. The 2014 recipients are:

· Kapuanani Arsiga, Christian Liberty Academy

· Kawena Case, Kealakehe High School

· Tifaine Crivello, Hilo High School

· Kamrie Koi, Ka‘u High School

· Melissa Mizuguchi, Waiakea High School

· Kodie Solis-Kalani, Kamehameha Schools Hawaii

· Kalena Spinola, Kealakehe High School

· Tara West, Hilo High School

· Turfa Zaman, Kealakehe High School

This year’s awardees are the third cohort to receive the scholarship. Prior to the start of fall classes, the students will take part in a summer bridge program to help them transition from high school. They will also participate in international travel and employment preparation in subsequent summers, bringing the total estimated value of each award to more than $60,000.

Parker receives Waimea Outdoor Circle grant

The Waimea Outdoor Circle recently awarded Parker School $3,467.69. Cheryl Langton, branch president, and Malia Mangarin, past president and adviser, of the Waimea Outdoor Circle, presented the check to Headmaster Carl Sturges and Advancement Director Jennifer Richardson. The gift will be used for sustainability education.