Tickets are $3 in advance or $5 at the door. Afaga and Nakamoto headed to state bee ADVERTISING Fourteen district winners will compete in the 2012 aio Hawaii State Spelling Bee for the championship title on March 24 in Honolulu.
Afaga and Nakamoto headed to state bee
Fourteen district winners will compete in the 2012 aio Hawaii State Spelling Bee for the championship title on March 24 in Honolulu. Roland Afaga Jr., a sixth-grader at Waimea Middle Public Charter School, and Taggart Nakamoto, a sixth-grader at Konawaena Middle, will be among those competing.
The live broadcast of the state spelling competition will air on PBS Hawaii/KHET (statewide) at 7 p.m., with a radio simulcast on ESPN 1500 AM.
The state champion will represent Hawaii in the 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee, which will be held near Washington, D.C., May 29 to 31, and aired live on ESPN.
The 2012 aio Hawaii State Spelling Bee is open to all students in grades four to eight. This year, there were 80 public, private and charter schools registered from Hawaii. This is the second year the competition has been coordinated by the aio Foundation, with support from its community partners.
AAUW offering two scholarships
The American Association of University of Women Kona Branch will award two scholarships of $2,000 each to female high school seniors in West Hawaii who will attend a two- or four-year college or university.
The criteria for choosing scholarship recipients are academic achievement; involvement in extracurricular high school activities, community organizations or employment experience; educational and career goals; and financial need. Application packets must be postmarked by April 18 and are available from high school counselors or online at aauwkona.org. These scholarships are unique in that the funds may be used for anything that enables the student to achieve her academic goals.
For more information, contact Toni Rimer at tonirimer@yahoo.com.
Credit union begins scholarship program
HFS Federal Credit Union is accepting applications for its newly established 2012 scholarship program. This year, the credit union will award $15,000 in scholarships to graduating Big Island high school seniors. The five scholarships, each in the amount of $3,000 may be used by the students for educational expenses during their freshman year.
Students with a cumulative 3.0 or higher grade point average who will be pursuing their education at an accredited two- or four-year vocational-technical school, college, or university in the 2012-13 academic year full-time are encouraged to apply. Scholarship recipients will be selected based on a variety of criteria including their academic performance, achievements, community service and financial need.
To apply, students may download an application from the credit union’s website at hfsfcu.org, stop into any branch islandwide or check with their high school counselors. Only complete applications with supporting documents will be considered and should be post-marked by March 16.
For more information, contact the credit union at 930-1400 or visit hfsfcu.org.
Cable company has internships
Time Warner Oceanic Cable has announced openings for interns who are interested in learning about the cable industry. Wayne Iokepa and his crew will mentor students through all phases of their Technical Operations Division, including installation, service, maintenance and engineering. There also will be opportunities to gain an insider’s perspective about warehousing and construction. Following are brief job descriptions of the mentors:
Student qualifications:
— Good academic standing; demonstrated classroom experience; good attendance and citizenship records.
— Must pass drug testing.
— Able to commit to a minimum of 60 hours to the internship. The hours will be arranged with the mentor host, who has indicated that students must be ready to commit full days (7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) for this internship.
— Able to represent the school and the host in a positive manner, i.e. constructive actions, helpful attitudes, proper appearance and attire.
— The internship must not interfere with academic work.
— Have parental/guardian approval to participate.
— Have own transportation to and from the job site in Kaloko Industrial Park.
Internship dates are March 9 to 16 and March 26. Interested students must indicate their interest by Friday. Contact the school’s CTE coordinator or Nem Lau at Kealakehe High at 327-4300, ext. 2449, or Nem_Lau@notes.k12.hi.us.
Imiloa schedules student program
Imiloa Astronomy Center, a part of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, is offering a full week of discovery and exploration for a child’s inquisitive mind. Students in kindergarten to third grade are invited to Lele I Ke Kupulau — Jump Into Spring — Spring Into the Universe intersession program.
The program runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 12 to 16. Drop off is available at 8 a.m. with pick up by 4 p.m. Lunch is not included, so pack a lunch and lots of snacks so that keiki will be energized for each day of exploration.
The program incorporates hands-on activities that will immerse the student in science and integrated Hawaiian culture. Throughout the week the students will learn; how to prepare and provision for a journey, practice the values of kuleana/responsibility of their own aina before leaping into exploration of the universe. The final day, parents are invited to the Lele I Ke Kupulau Hoike, where keiki will share their experiences.
Tuition is $165 for members and $185 for nonmembers. Enrollment for the intersession program is open at this time but space is limited. Reservations and advance payment are required. Register and prepay at the Imiloa front desk or by phone at 969-9703.
Konawaena seniors invited to apply
The Lions Club of Kona will award four college scholarships to graduating seniors from Konawaena High School. Each scholarship is for $1,000 each.
The scholarships will consist of two general scholarships, one Jonney Pha Hodges Trust Scholarship (applicant majoring in medical field) and one financial need scholarship (FAFSA form required). Finalist will undergo an interview to determine awardees. All applications as well as information regarding scholarships are available from Konawaena High School, via Mr. Hashimoto. Deadline to submit applications are April 20.
Christian school plans open house
Kona Christian Academy invites the public to an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Participants will have an opportunity to visit the classrooms of kindergartners through seventh-graders, meet current families, learn about the school and its programs, and meet faculty members and administrators.
The academy has been part of the West Hawaii community for more than 20 years. The school provides a Christian education for kindergarten through seventh grade.
For more information, contact Debbie Mabuni, school secretary, at 329-3093.
Press club has scholarships available
The Big Island Press Club is offering college scholarships to students with Big Island ties who are seeking careers in journalism. This year, the club is offering the $1,500 Robert C. Miller Memorial Scholarship, the $1,000 Bill Arballo Scholarship, the $500 Jack Markey Memorial Scholarship, the $500 Yukino Fukabori Memorial Scholarship and the Marcia Reynolds Memorial Scholarship.
All information, including application forms, are posted on the press club website at bipc.wordpress.com. The deadline to apply is June 9. Applications without the required documents will be deemed incomplete.
After an initial review of the applicants, the scholarship committee will conduct personal interviews in Hilo in the summer. If applicants cannot be physically present, an interview may be conducted over the phone.
For more information, write to Peter Sur at psur@hawaiitribune-herald.com or call 930-7351.
Junior class plans talent show for Feb. 23
A talent show sponsored by the junior class of 2013 will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Kealakehe High School cafeteria. Students will be sharing their singing and dancing talents and more.
Tickets are $3 in advance or $5 at the door.
