Larson receives statewide award
A Hawaii Island high school student who has also been enrolled in classes at Hawaii Community College was recently honored for his accomplishments with a statewide college and career readiness award.
Derek Larson, a senior at Konawaena High School, was presented with the statewide “Student Readiness Award” at the Hawaii ACT State Organiza-tion Con-ference in Honolulu on April 17. In addition, ACT has announced that Larson is one of just four semi-finalists who have been nominated for the national Student Readiness Award.
The Student Readiness Award recognizes academic accomplishments, college and career readiness, and success in extracurricular activities.
Larson has a 4.2 high school grade-point average and is also on the college dean’s list where he has a 4.0 grade-point average. Larson is involved in extra-curricular activities, including sports and community service.
During the past year, Larson has been enrolled in HCC classes in West Hawaii as part of the college’s Running Start program. Running Start and other Early College options at the college allow Larson and other high school students to enroll in college classes and receive “dual credit.” Larson is projected to graduate from high school having already completed 36 college credits.
Larson plans to attend The Sage Colleges in Albany, N.Y., this fall where he will major in nursing and also enroll in pre-med courses.
Bush chosen to attend future medical leaders conference
Malia-Grace Bush, a senior at James Campbell High School of Ewa Beach, attended the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 14 to 16. The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields. The purpose of this event is to honor, inspire, motivate and direct top students in the country who aspire to be physicians or medical scientists, to stay true to their dream and, after the event, to provide a path, plan and resources to help them reach their goal.
Bush was nominated by Dr. Connie Mariano, the medical director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists to represent Hawaii based on her academic achievement, leadership potential and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine.
During the three-day Congress, Bush joined students from across the country and heard Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science winners talk about leading medical research; was given advice from Ivy League and top medical school deans on what to expect in medical school; witnessed stories told by patients who are living medical miracles; was inspired by fellow teen medical science prodigies; and learned about cutting-edge advances and the future in medicine and medical technology.
Go For Broke center holds contest
Go For Broke National Education Center announces its third annual student essay contest. The contest is open to high school and college students. Cash prizes totaling $6,500 will be awarded to a total of 14 winners: $1,000 each to the top four winners. Plus, the top 30 finalists will receive two complimentary tickets to attend the center’s 14th annual Evening of Aloha Gala Dinner this fall at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel &Suites in Los Angeles.
For the first time, students will have the choice to either write an essay or create a short video. Participants can address one of three topics: study the Japanese American World War II soldier experience and explain its relevance to our lives today; research one Japanese American World War II soldier, and highlight elements of the experience that are most meaningful to the student; or analyze what the Japanese American World War II experience can teach us about the Constitution, rights and responsibilities. All submissions are due by June 30. Essays must be emailed to chris@goforbroke.org. Videos must be posted to YouTube, and the link must then be emailed to chris@goforbroke.org.
Essays being sought should consist of 250- to 500-word original compositions. Videos should be between three and five minutes in length. The winners will be presented in a booklet at the Evening of Aloha Gala Dinner, as well as available on the center’s website at goforbroke.org.
The winners will be notified by July 31. College and high school students are urged to submit their essays and videos to chris@goforbroke.org. For more information, contact Chris Brusatte at (310) 222-5711, or visit goforbroke.org/about_us/about_us_student_essay.php.
Auction raises fund for HPA aid program
Hawaii Preparatory Academy’s 21st Biennial Scholarship Auction on April 25 at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel ballroom raised $673,850 for the school’s financial aid program.
