Parker students arrive in Maine and are greeted by their fellow Maine exchange program students. (Photo courtesy of Parker School)

MEDIA RELEASE

Twelve Parker students recently returned from three weeks in Camden, Maine.

Two sophomores, eight juniors and two seniors traveled with Headmaster Carl Sturges to study as part of an exchange program run by Camden Hills Regional High School.

The school is known for its exchange programs, particularly those it operates in Europe and Asia. The purpose of this exchange is for students to visit and learn about another part of the country and to meet new friends.

Parker’s itinerary included visits to Bowdoin, Colby, and Bates Colleges in Maine and Tufts and Northeastern Universities in Boston. Parker college counselor Joanie Brotman joined the group for this portion of the trip.

In addition to their studies in Maine and the college visits, the group enjoyed a day at Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, a lobster dinner for all the participants and their Maine host families (with lobster caught by one of the parents!), seeing the fall colors, ice skating and apple picking.

The students also experienced the big storm that brought 10 inches of snow and caused school to be canceled for three days.

Sturges said none of the kids complained, as they got to go sledding and have snowball fights.

Eight of the Parker students are debate team members and while there, they participated in the Bangor High Debate Invitational tournament. Parker took first place in both Novice Public Forum and Varsity Public Forum Debate categories.

Sturges, who is also Parker’s debate coach, said, “The Maine association really laid out the welcome carpet for us, providing gift bags filled with Maine products for our students and introducing them specially at the awards assembly, where they got a big ovation from the crowd. What a great day!”

The students enjoyed studying in their new environment. Sturges said, “The principal of Camden Hills commented on how focused on academics our kids were, making sure they had time to get their homework done and staying current in the Hawaii classes.”

Sturges also reported most of the kids developed strong relationships with their host families and made fast friends of the Maine students who will be coming to Hawaii, as well as with a group of nine students from Italy who were also visiting.

The 12 exchange students from Camden Hills School will visit Parker School at the end of February.

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12th Annual Fairways & Friends Golf Tournament

Parker School raised nearly $18,000 at its 12th Annual Fairways & Friends Golf Tournament at Hualalai Resort on Nov. 8. This year, in addition to golf, Hualalai Spa treatments were offered that day.

Proceeds from the event go directly to financial aid at the school.

After the tournament, participants enjoyed an awards reception at Tommy Bahama restaurant with heavy pupus, cocktails and prizes.

The prizes, such as a custom golf club, gift certificates for complimentary rounds of golf at various Big Island resorts, hotel stays, services, restaurants and markets were generously donated by Big Island Candies, Francis H. Ii Brown Golf Course, Dr. Joan Greco, D.D.S., Hilton Waikoloa Village, Hualalai Resort, Huggo’s, KTA Superstores, Kamaaina Clubmakers, Lava Lava Beach Club, Makalei Golf Club, Mauna Kea Beach Resort Golf Course, Merriman’s Restaurant, Roy’s Waikoloa Bar & Grill, Waikoloa Beach & Kings’ Course, Waikoloa Village Golf Club.

Parker School is an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory K-12 school located in Waimea. Because a large percentage — nearly 50 percent — of Parker School students receive financial aid, the school holds events such as the Fairways & Friends tournament and Kahiau, their annual spring auction gala, to help raise financial aid funds.

Parker extends a very special thank you to title sponsor Redwater Construction, and to all the generous tournament sponsors: Hualalai Resort; Four Seasons Resort Hualalai; 808 Islandwide Roofing; Big Island Mechanical & Construction, L.L.C.; CPM, L.L.C.; Clever Concierge Services; Dr. Joan Greco, D.D.S.; First Hawaiian Bank; Hawaii Water Service Co.; Kenneth J. Fischer, O.D. & Lori Ann K. Kim, O.D.; Kukio; The Preskitt Company; ProService Hawaii; Title Guaranty; and West Hawaii Concrete.

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Parker School Offers Scholarships

Parker School announces that it will again be offering the Richard Smart Scholars program for 9th grade students and middle school Ulu Pono Scholarships (for student in grades 6, 7, and 8) for the 2014-2015 school year.

For each type of scholarship, two new students and one current student will be selected and will receive $8,500 toward tuition for each year of their Parker career provided they maintain appropriate academic and behavioral standing.

The Ulu Pono Scholars are selected based on financial need, academic promise, strong character, and passion for an area of interest. The Smart Scholars are selected on the basis of financial need, merit, and exceptional academic potential.

For prospective students, applications are currently being accepted and admissions, financial aid and scholarship applications are due by Feb. 2, 2015. For returning Parker School students, the deadline for financial aid and scholarships applications is Jan. 23, 2015.

More details about the scholarships can be found on the school’s website, www.parkerschoolhawaii.org or by contacting Parker School Admissions Director Emily Pagliaro at 808-885-7933 ext. 7107 or epagliaro@parkerschoolhawaii.org.

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Parker School Hosts Alumni Event (Dec. 28)

Parker School hosts its annual Alumni Day Soccer Game and Social 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014. The event will take place on the school soccer field behind the lower school building at 65-1167 Kapiolani Road in Waimea (behind the main campus on Lindsey Road, across from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints).

Alumni are invited to bring their families and come play soccer if they wish and/or simply socialize and catch up with old friends, teachers and staff.

Food and beverages will be served.

Alumni are asked to RSVP or contact the school with any questions by emailing advancement@parkerschoolhawaii.org or by calling 808-885-8709.

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Parker School Receives $40,000 Matching Grant

Parker School has announced it has received a $40,000 matching grant from two anonymous donors.

The donors agreed to match funds received by Dec. 1, 2014 for the 2014-2015 Parker School Annual Fund. Gifts will be matched dollar for dollar up to a total of $40,000.

Parker School is a fully accredited, independent college-preparatory day school located in Waimea. For nearly four decades Parker has been an important community resource, dedicated to serving a diverse student body.

Established in 1976 by community leaders as a high school, today it serves 301 kindergarten through 12th grade students.

Students enjoy: a rigorous academic program; hands-on experiential learning; an excellent arts program; leadership opportunities; exciting extra-curricular activities such as debate, athletics, drama and dance; community service; and a true sense of ohana.

The school’s annual fund runs from July 1- June 30 each year and generates funds to help the school cover the costs of various academic and extracurricular programs, field trips, teacher retention, and campus maintenance.

Parker wishes to thank the two generous donors of the matching grant as well as the many Parker families, faculty, staff, alumni, board members and friends for their support of the annual fund.

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Heneghan Run Color Stampede a Success

A record nearly 190 runners and walkers participated in Parker School’s 15th Annual George Heneghan Fun Run on Sunday, Nov. 2.

This year’s event was called the Color Stampede, and the participants were splashed with colored powder at various stations throughout the race.

The event, which consists of a 1K Keiki Run and a 5K Fun Run, was established in memory of Hawaii architect George Heneghan, who was also an accomplished athlete, teacher and coach. He coached cross-country and track at Parker from 1992-1998.

This year, all proceeds from the run will go to support Parker’s athletics program. Medals were awarded to 1st place overall male and female finishers in the 5K run and 1K run, and 1st place finishers in each age category.

Parker extends special thanks to this year’s generous Heneghan Fun Run sponsors: Big Island Running Company, Califia Farms’ Cuties, Cross Fit Kawaihae, Healthways II, Ironman, Mamane Bakery, Parker School PTSO, and Starbucks Waimea.

The race results are as follows:

OVERALL 5K FEMALE & MALE WINNERS:

Makana Blake 23:59
Kanoa Blake 20:39

First place winners of each age category:

1K Female:

5 and under: Lucy Peterson 6:28
6-8: Maile Imonen 4:14
9-11: Anela Stewart 4:36

1K Male:

5 and under: Zane Imonen 4:47
6-8: Kekai Haines 4:16
9-11: Kai Higgins 3:37

5K Female:

6-8: Elaina Head 36:45
9-11: Maddie Weigle 30:45
12-14: Makana Blake 23:59
15-19: Maia Tarnas 28:43
20-29: Sarah Jane Lily 27:16
30-39: Amanda Smith 27:37
40-49: Gena McFarland 25:03
50-59: Leslie Wold 34:36
60+: Muffet Callender 42:05

5K Male:

6-8: Kahlil Adams 38:57
9-11: Kanoa Blake 20:39
12-14: Brendan Moynahan Jr. 20:50
15-19: Hunter Weigle 28:35
20-29: Bronson Bruno 45:24
30-39: Derek Park 22:09
40-49: Jacob Head 21:44
50-59: Joe Bollinger 23:48
60+: Joe Loschiavo 34:00

— Find out more:
www.parkerschoolhawaii.org