In 2000-2001, the Kealakehe High School Community Council established four scholarships to honor Waverider graduates who represent the values of KHS. These young adults are named the Most Outstanding and Most Charitable students in their class. Since the first KHS graduation in 2001, there have been 108 awardees who have earned a total of $217,500 to support their post-secondary educational plans.
In 2005-2006, the scholarships were renamed to honor Sarah Rosenberg. She was a talented, driven and compassionate student-athlete who attended Kealakehe High from August 2001 until December 2004. During Christmas break of 2004, Rosenberg was killed in a tragic car accident. Over the course of her high school career, Rosenberg came to embody the highest qualities of a Kealakehe Waverider. These scholarships bear her name as a means of capturing her spirit and to serve as an inspiration for future Waveriders. After her death, a fund was established through the Hawaii Community Foundation so that the scholarships would be perpetual.
This year’s Most Outstanding Waverider: Maile Lei Ji ($4,000) and runner-up Marissa Boerner ($3,000).
This year’s Most Charitable Waverider: Eric Gee ($4,000) and runner-up Kiersten Peralta ($3,000).
All four winners were recognized at graduation while Ji and Gee shared speeches with the class of 2024.
Ji, who is a U.S. Presidential Scholar, a National Merit Scholar and a successful student-athlete, is proud that she persevered through the tough times and learned to enjoy the process. She is attending Princeton University in the fall.
Boerner is proud of her efforts as a student-athlete in both soccer and water polo and her work with the STEM academy, the National Honor Society and her church. She will attend Berry College in Georgia to study pre-veterinary medicine.
Gee served in student body government and with both the Hawaii County Youth Commission under Mayor Mitch Roth and the Hawaii State Youth Commission under Gov. Josh Green. His interest in service and governance shows up in his plans to major in both political science and international business with a minor in education. He is attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Peralta, who was recognized as an A.P. Scholar, is proud of her efforts as captain of the varsity volleyball team, her involvement with the KHS Science Bowl team and her many hours of service work on her own and with the National Honor Society. She will be attending the University of California, Los Angeles, and plans to major in chemistry and minor in biology.