Five Kapa’a High School students received “Kapa’a High School Foundation Scholarships” of $1000 each at the June 2020 board meeting. The scholarship winners were selected based on their personal statements, academic achievements, and their participation in community and school service activities throughout their high school years.
Kyler Arruda-Sukehira served as ASB Treasurer, as Sergeant-at-Arms for Key Club and as Secretary, Social Committee Head and Community Service Committee Head for Interact Club. He was inducted into National Honor Society, where he served as Secretary. He was awarded a Rotary Youth Leadership Award in 2019 and STEM honor from Kapa’a High in 2020, among other awards. In the fall, he will attend University of Hawai’i at Manoa, pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing.
La’akea Gonsalves was an Eagle Scout and a member of the Interact Service Club. In both organizations, he performed hundreds of hours of service to help his community. An accomplished student-athlete, he played soccer, football and volleyball. He was named KIF Player of the Year (Soccer) in 2020, received all-state soccer honors, and was named Team Captain for both soccer and football. He has also held part-time jobs during his busy high school career. In the fall, he will attend Chaminade University, majoring in Business Administration and will continue to play soccer. After graduation, he hopes to return to Kaua’i and continue to give back to his community.
Kirra Lindman was a member of National Honor Society and the Interact Club, where she served as Vice-President and President. She participated in many community service events, including Mahelona Breast Cancer Walk, Kaua’i United Way Walkathon, and organizing food donations for Hale Ho’omalu. She has also been involved in Hawaiian Cultural Preservatino programs, such as Waipa (camp counselor and volunteer) and at Limahuli National Tropical Botanical Gardens. She will attend UC Berkeley, majoring in Architecture.
Tu Nguyen was one of the Valedictorians in the class of 2020. She was inducted into the National Honor Society and was a member of the community service organizations Interact Club and Key Club. She also served as the Historian and Vice-President of Service for the Key Club. As a student-athlete, she was part of the Kapa’a High School’s Cross Country, Track and Field, Basketball and Bowling teams. In addition to her busy schedule, she also worked 20 hours per week at a part-time job. In the fall, she will attend UH Manoa, majoring in Dental Hygiene.
Maeha Piturachsatit was a member of Interact Club and was inducted into National Honor Society. She played on the Kapa’a High School Varsity Volleyball Team where she served as captain. She was a church youth summer camp leader for two summers, helped organize a Thanksgiving lunch for the less fortunate, and was involved in many other community service activities while also working two part-time jobs. In the fall, she will be attending Point Loma Nazarene University, majoring in nursing.
Six other Kapa’a High School students received “Kapa’a High School Foundation Partial Scholarships” of $500 each at the June 2020 board meeting. These were special additional awards given because 2020 presented a hardship to many Kaua’i families.
Tessa Jensen was involved in many hours of community service through the Interact Club and National Honors Society. She has also been a part of Project Unify, which serves to bridge the gap for students with special needs, and served as Vice-President of HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America). She was on the wrestling team, placing first on Kaua’i in her weight class, and competed at the state level. She placed 5th in Idaho at the Western State Championship. She will attend Brigham Young University-Provo in the fall, majoring in nursing.
Kaila Pia was a member of the Kapa’a High School Art Club, participating in a community mural project and also in regular art therapy sessions at Mahelona Hospital. She has worked at the Wilcox Elementary School Summer Fun program, as a one-on-one ADA recreation aide for a child with autism. She will be attending University of Nevada Las Vegas, majoring in Early Childhood Education and working towards a career as a teacher.
Angeline Roslin was member and officer of Key Club, serving as Historian, Vice-President and President. Through Key Club, she was able to surpass 130 hours of community service in events such as: Laundry Love, Mahelona Art Therapy, Breast Cancer Awareness Walks, Surfrider Beach Cleanups, Salvation Army and Kaua’i Economic Opportunities. She was inducted into National Honor Society. In the fall, she will attend University of Hawai’i at Manoa, majoring in pre-nursing.
Kasiah Vercelli was Kaua’i Student representative for the Hawai’i State PTSA, Youth Leadership Council Delegate for Hawai’i, an Intern for US Senator Schatz’s office, Student Representative to Hawai’i DOE’s Stakeholder Advisory Committee, Young Feminist Committee member and Hawai’i Youth Legislative Summit participant. She inducted into National Honor Society and was active in the Interact Club where she served as secretary. She will attend Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, GA with a double major in Religious Studies and Art History.
Kian (Lai) Viernes was awarded one of the Kapa’a High School Foundation’s Partial Scholarships. He will be attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa this fall, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. Upon graduation, he may continue on to earn a masters degree in Mechanical Engineering as well. This post will be updated when more information is available. This post will be updated when more information is available.
Chloe Zumwalt was a four-year swim team member and was selected as captain her junior and senior years. She was also on Kapa’a High’s Marching Band, as section leader and Marimba player. She was selected for membership in National Honor Society, volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters for 3 years, and helped out at A+ and Head Start program. She also volunteered at the Lawa’i International Center and at the Kapa’a Library book sale. In the fall, she plans to attend Kaua’i Community College with the hopes of transferring to UH Manoa and majoring in psychology or teaching.
Congratulations to all our scholarship winners. We commend your diligence and dedication to excellence and your commitment to community service.
The Foundation will like to extend a warm “Thank you” to all the generous supporters of the Kapa’a High School Foundation who make these scholarships possible.
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