MEDIA RELEASE

Two Parker School eighth grade science projects received cash awards at the 53rd Annual Hawaii State Science and Engineering Fair (HSSEF) on Oahu. Blake Aholelei’s project titled, “Does Eye Color Affect Peripheral Vision?” was rewarded with a $50 cash prize from both the Hawaiian Eye Foundation and Society of Fire Protection Engineers, Hawaii Chapter. Grant Nair’s project “Got Water?” received a $150 cash award from the Department of Health Safe Drinking Water Branch, Honolulu and $50 from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply.

Junior Elisha Chun won the Jurors Choice award at the East Hawaii Cultural Center exhibition in Hilo. This is the highest honor given in the Island wide “Young at Art” competition hosted by the State Foundation of Culture and the Arts. “It was pretty incredible to walk in and see her work front and center with a big gold star on it. I was very proud of her, and of all the students” said visual arts instructor Heidi Buscher. Parker sophomore, Kai Inaba took home an Award of Recognition for his photography work. Other Parker students representing Parker in the exhibition include Jasmine Asoyan, Lisa Brklacich, Sacha Contreras and Jodie Maxx. Jodie Maxx received a Visionary Artist Merit Scholarship to San Francisco Institute of Art, Josh Inaba received an Art Merit Scholarship from the Art Department at the University of Redlands, and Isabel Peters received a Merit Scholarship to Pacific Art College of the North West.

Kimo Hon was accepted into the Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT. Approximately 75 high school students are accepted into this six week program. Students participate in a rigorous program which emphasizes research in mathematics, the sciences, and engineering. Students chosen for RSI complete hands-on research projects with top mentors at MIT, Harvard, and nearby corporations and research organizations.

Parker Middle School students participated in the Math League Contest and the Parker School team of Lysha Matsunobu, Thomas Harmon, Sivan Najita, Ryan Touchet, and Mariah Haight ranked 21st out of the 61 schools in the league. Jaren Ashcraft earned Parker School’s highest score in the 7th grade contest and Skye Waipa earned the highest score in the 6th grade contest. For more information visit www.parkerschool.net.