Camylle McDonald of Kealakehe High School received the largest scholarship: a $5,000 District Finalist award.
McDonald is the daughter of Yumiko and Ty McDonald. Ranking No. 1 in her class for four years and an Advanced Placement Scholar, McDonald participated in the National Rocketry Challenge with her group, which earned National Finalist status. She also was an active participant in her school’s Interact Club, raising funds for local and global charities. She will attend Georgia Institute of Technology next Fall.
Nine additional seniors from Hawaii Island schools received a $3,000 award. They were: Maya Oishi of Hilo High School, who is the daughter of Michelle and Curt Oishi, and will attend the University of Texas at Austin in the Fall.
Jake Bannister of Honokaʻa High & Intermediate School, who is the son of Prantiss and John Bannister, and will attend the University of Portland.
Baily Gapusan of Keaʻau High School, who is the son of Jessica and Brandon Gapusan, and will attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, next fall.
Kymani Alani of Konawaena High School, who is the daughter of Lea and Arley Alani Jr., and will attend Washington State University in the fall.
Ashlee Kubo of Pahoa High & Intermediate School, who is the daughter of Leticia Abalos, and will attend Grand Canyon University in the fall.
Matthew Labasan of Waiakea High School, who is the son of Anabelle and Samuelito Labasan, and will attend the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in the Fall.
Lily Kassis of Hawaii Preparatory Academy, who is the daughter of Patricia and Marc Kassis, and will attend Simmons College.
Jacob Momohara of Kamehameha Schools Hawaii, who is the son of Cheryl Hickey-Momohara and Sy Momohara, and will attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa, in the fall.
Eleanore Kowardy of Parker School, who is the daughter of Nancy Campbell and Kevin Kowardy, and will be attending Haverford College in the Fall.
The students were among 59 recipients, one from each qualifying public and independent school in the state, who received scholarships based on academic achievement, community service and financial need. In total, the foundation awarded $217,000 to students throughout the state in its Legacy Scholarship Program this year. Of that, $32,000 was awarded to Hawaii Island seniors.
The Takitanis founded Hawaiian Host, manufacturer of Hawaiian Host chocolates, and established the Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation, Inc. to give back to the community by providing the gift of education to the young people of Hawaii. Since 1993, the foundation has annually presented scholarships to an outstanding student from every qualifying high school in the state and has awarded over $11 million to scholarship and academic enrichment programs throughout Hawaii.
