Nominations sought for Konawaena Wall of Fame
The Konawaena Foundation is seeking nominations for the Konawaena Wall of Fame through July 31.
The Konawaena High School Wall of Fame recognizes outstanding graduates for their achievements and contributions. The Wall of Fame program aims to instill pride and to encourage and motivate students to set and reach their highest goals and dreams.
Details and nomination forms may be found on the Konawaena Foundation website at www.konawaenafoundation.org.
Kona Mauka Rotary awards scholarships to graduating seniors
The Rotary Club of Kona Mauka has awarded six scholarships totaling $20,000 to local high school graduates. These students will be starting their academic studies across the country, including at Hawaii Community College — Palamanui in Kailua-Kona.
Receiving scholarships were Edenne Megan Baguso, who graduated in the top 6% of her class and plans to attend Lehigh University in Pennsylvania to become a child or forensic psychologist; Shayla Sayphone graduated at the top of her class at and plans to attend Macalester College in Minnesota to study biology or pharmacology to become a pharmacist; Elimar Utrera, who plans to study political science at University of Rochester in New York; Sofia Valdovinos who plans to attend Hawaii Community College — Palamanui to pursue a career in interior design; Riley Sato who is finalizing his college choice but plans to study bioloigy; and Arjun Thompson, who plans to attend UH-Hilo to study finance.
Utrera recieved the Wayne Hedemann Memorial Scholarship awarded in honor of the Konawaena High School graduate who enlisted in the military to serve his country as a helicopter pilot and was killed during the Vietnam War. His father, who was a charter member of the Rotary Club of Kona Mauka, sponsored a scholarship in his son’s name and this perpetual scholarship has been helping students to further their education for over 40 years.
Valdovinos received the Shizuko “Grandma” Teshima Memorial Scholarship that was created to honor Teshima’s 100th birthday in 2007. Teshima was a longtime supporter and patron of Kona Mauka Rotary and a lifetime believer in higher education. She passed away at the age of 106. Teshima’s Restaurant has been the home of The Rotary Club of Kona Mauka for 50 years.
Kona Mauka Rotary Club consists of over 20 members from the Kona community and normally meets at noon each Tuesday at Teshima’s Restaurant in Honalo.