UH Hilo 2015 Scholarship Celebration

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The banquet celebrated the generosity of members of the local community who are doing their part in making higher education accessible for everyone.

Five guests pose for photo.
Standing are classmates and UH Hilo alumni Jimmy Yagi and Roy Shigenaga, who were once recipients of scholarships and are now donors. Yagi and Shigenaga brought much life to this year’s celebration event. Front, (l-r) Jeanne Yagi, Theresa Aten, and Kamalani Johnson. Photos by Jaysen Niedermeyer.

The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and UH Foundation hosted the annual Scholarship Celebration on the evening of April 22. The banquet celebrated the generosity of members of the local community who are doing their part in making higher education accessible for everyone.

Attending the event were 90 students, 40 donors, and 20 university faculty and staff. The evening gave scholarship donors a grand opportunity to meet the future entrepreneurs and community leaders they are supporting, and students were able to meet and thank their donors.

The night included a sumptuous dinner, during which several speakers shared their thoughts on scholarships.

Speakers

Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Matthew Platz, standing in for Chancellor Don Straney who was off island on business, opened the celebration with a personal account of the hardships his father endured to provide his children the opportunities he never had. Platz related this to the opportunities that the donors are currently providing for students. He also detailed the change in the cost of higher education, commenting on the amount of tuition that is no longer covered by taxes, and how this extra expense must be footed by the students.

Andrea Furuli from the UH Foundation acknowledged all of the graduating seniors at the event, many of whom were debt free.

Sherrie Padilla, director of UH Hilo’s financial aid office, further enlightened the donors about how their donations make such a large difference for the students and the community. She noted the average unmet cost for in-state students is around $4,000, while out for out-of-state students it is $8,000. This unmet need remains even after loans and financial aid has been dispersed, and usually comes directly from the students or their families.

Kylie Grogg at the podium.
Student speaker Kylie Grogg said her scholarship has helped her be able to devote more time to academics and has relieved tremendous stress from her family and herself.

Mariko Miho, director of development at UH Hilo, lent some closing remarks by further emphasizing the notion that supporting these students is supporting our families, community, nation, and future.

Student speaker Kylie Grogg started off a riveting speech with the astounding fact that she will be graduating debt free, something many students cannot claim. She then continued in detailing how the scholarship has helped her be able to devote more time to academics and has relieved tremendous stress from her family and herself.

Speaker Kamalani Johnson addresses audience from the podium.
Student speaker Kamalani Johnson spoke about his plans to pursue a graduate degree with intentions to teach various aspects of Native Hawaiian culture at a university level.

Student speaker Kamalani Johnson started his presentation in noting that he also was graduating debt free. After thanking the donors who have allowed him to do that, he spoke about his plans to pursue a graduate degree with intentions to teach various aspects of Native Hawaiian culture at a university level.

Following the speakers, everyone focused on the opportunity to meet and appreciate each other for their respective ambitions. The atmosphere was lively with gratitude and no tables were without cheery chatter.

 

 

Photos by Jaysen Niedermeyer, a senior at UH Hilo majoring in marine science. He is a photographer for UH Hilo Stories.

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