Categorized | Education

Richard Smart Scholars grants awarded

MEDIA RELEASE

Parker School has announced four students have been awarded Richard Smart Scholars grants for the 2013-2014 school year.

The four recipients are: Eve Anderson and Athena Coley from Waikoloa Middle School; Coco Romano Giordano from Paauilo School; and Kyra Matsuda from Parker School.

Each recipient has earned her $8,500 grant on the basis of need, merit, and exceptional academic potential. The Richard Smart Scholars program is a renewable grant awarded to students in their freshman year and renewed each year of their high school career based upon acceptable academic performance.

Eve Anderson came to Hawaii from Indiana with her family five years ago. She has been studying hula for the past four years and performs weekly in hula shows. She is actively involved in the performing arts program at Waikoloa School, and also enjoys horseback riding, playing piano and writing. She is looking forward to participating in Parker School’s performing arts program.

Athena Coley was born in Honolulu, but now lives on the Big Island. She is a top student at Waikoloa School, and has won first place in state art and poetry competitions. Last year she was nominated for and attended as a Hawaii representative, the Junior National Young Leadership Conference held in Washington D.C. She volunteers with Waikoloa Future Foresters, working to propagate native plants in the Waikoloa Dry Forest. She enjoys reading, drawing, singing, and drama.

Coley said, “I am so excited about becoming a 9th grade student at Parker School next year. I am looking forward to becoming involved in (the) debate team as well as joining Dramatiques and the impressive and extensive art room. I am looking forward to having teachers and subjects which will challenge me and prepare me for college, where my plans are to pursue a degree/career in arts in animation and digital arts.”

Born in Waipio Valley, Coco Romano Giordano has lived on the Big Island all her life. She has been on the principal’s list at Paauilo School since 6th grade and has earned several academic awards throughout her career there. She is a certified volunteer at The Humane Society, and in her free time enjoys drawing, sewing, algebra, learning Chinese, and playing Minecraft. Giordano said she is looking forward to Parker School, where she can work to her full academic potential, be in an accelerated math program, the art program, and is also looking forward to meeting new friends.

Kyra Matsuda was born in Hilo, and has lived in Waimea since 2001. She has received academic awards each year she has been at Parker, and was invited to join the debate team this year. She is the first middle schooler to qualify for the upcoming state debate tournament. She has volunteered as a student aide with the Kahilu Summer Arts program, volunteers weekly at the library, and has participated in other service projects through school, such as Make a Difference Day.

Matsuda’s mother, Laurel, said, “Kyra is thrilled and thankful to receive the Smart Scholarship, and is looking forward to enjoying the many academic and extracurricular opportunities that Parker School offers.”

Matsuda said, “Parker School offers me so much more than I could get anywhere else. I’m extremely thankful to Parker School for awarding me this scholarship and thus helping me to reach my highest potential.”

— Find out more:
www.parkerschool.net

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