Two Big Island student athletes were honored this year with scholarships from the Hawaii Medical Service Association’s Kaimana Award program.
Tayler Guerrero of Honokaa High School and Rebecca Tang of Parker School were selected among the 15 students statewide this year.
They will receive scholarships worth $5,000 each to go towards tuition, books, computers or room and board for college.
In order to qualify, students had to demonstrate a strong GPA, participate in one league-sanctioned sport, and showcase their involvement in community service.
“The HMSA Kaimana Awards and Scholarship Program recognizes the best, all-around young adults for their achievements in academics and sports as well as their contributions to the community,” HMSA President and Chief Executive Officer Mark M. Mugiishi told the Tribune-Herald. “Each year, it’s inspiring to learn about these all-around good kids who have already made a significant difference in their communities at such a young age. This year’s recipients, like many of the ones who came before them, plan to become doctors, nurses, engineers, lawyers, and business professionals.”
Tayler Guerrero caught the attention of HMSA through an impressive volleyball season. As captain of the varsity team, her passion and leadership experience led her to accepting Outstanding Player of the Year. But she also scored high in AP Calculus this year all while earning her Red Cross CPR certification.
“I took a clinical health class where I learned medical terms and CPR,” Guerrero said, adding it inspired her to pursue a career in the medical field.
Guerrero also planted and harvested crops at the Ulu Mau Puanui in Kohala, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching sustainable and rainfed farming techniques to students and the community.
“Working with Ulu was entirely new to me,” Guerrero said of the experience. “And I enjoyed every minute of it.”
Guerrero plans to attend Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota to major in biology, with a long-term plan of becoming an optometrist.
Rebecca Tang of Parker School in Waimea was an ace on the court and a four-year varsity tennis letterwinner, earning the coveted Most Improved Girls Varsity Tennis Player award this season.
“It meant more to me than winning a match because it reflects not only my personal growth but also the spirit of growth,” Tang said. “The award represents the culmination of our hard work and determination and I’m grateful to have been a part of such an incredible team.”
Tang also competed on the debate team where she served as team captain, and was president of the Parker School’s National Honor Society.
Throughout the year, she assisted with toy drives, helped organize voter registration events, and even created 3D printed personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tang has already started her college journey by taking classes at a community college while she was still enrolled in high school. She’s been studying psychology, criminology, and women’s and gender studies.
She plans on attending Columbia University in New York in the fall, where she’ll major in political science and women’s studies. Her long-term goal is to become a lawyer focusing on advocating for women and other gender minorities’ rights.
“Some of our recipients are from rural communities and we hope these scholarships can help support them in achieving their goals of higher education,” Mugiishi said. “We were thrilled to learn that some of this year’s recipients aspire to return to Hawaii after college too, to work in rural communities and underserved areas, with some of them being in a health care setting.”
Two Big Island schools were also honored this year as part of the Kaimana Award: Parker School and Keaau High School.
Both schools will receive $1,500 each and were selected based on high program scores in academics, athletics, community service, offering healthy activities, and quality sportsmanship.