Maryknoll School’s Kekumano Scholarship program has been expanded for the next school year to awards for 16 students totaling $40,000.
“We know there is a great need for tuition assistance, and the board wished to expand the number of students receiving aid through the school’s largest fundraising event, the Kekumano Dinner,” said Cori Weston, Maryknoll School board chairwoman.
For the last 16 years, the school has awarded a $10,000 scholarship to an incoming junior or senior who embodies the ideals of the school’s motto, “Noblesse oblige.” The scholarship and benefit dinner were named in honor of Msgr. Charles A. Kekumano, who knew personally the impact that tuition assistance can have for children.
“Maryknoll School and its ideals were very close to the monsignor’s heart,” said the school’s director of institutional advancement, Yvonne Morris, who helped to start the dinner and the scholarship. “He wanted the scholarship to go to a student who needed that extra financial help to succeed. We are thrilled to carry on his love for education.”
Under the expanded program, one incoming junior or senior will continue to receive a $10,000 scholarship and 15 students from grades four through 12 will receive $2,000 awards. Criteria for selection include community service and an embodiment of noblesse oblige (“To whom much is given, much is expected”).
Natalie Kamada, daughter of Karl and Jorgen Kamada of Waipahu, is the recipient of the 2014-15 $10,000 Kekumano Scholarship. Natalie, who will be a senior next school year, is in the National Honor Society, has been involved in student government, Maryknoll’s mentoring program and campus ministry. She is also active in her parish, Resurrection of the Lord in Waipio. Her extracurricular activities include dancing and soccer.
Kamada will be vice president of the student senate next year, during which time she hopes to help create a more ecofriendly environment on campus. “My vision is to add a variety of plants around campus to improve air quality and aesthetics,” she said.
In her campus ministry role, Natalie is a retreat leader for younger grades and helps with liturgies and morning assembly.
In her essay for the Kekumano Scholarship, Natalie wrote: “In these few recent years, I’ve asked myself, ‘What difference do I want to make? What do I want to be?’ Through my experience with serving the homeless and aiding Confirmation candidates, I learned to be humble and willing to answer the call of leadership. Msgr. Charles Kekumano touched many through his dedication to many services. … I want to do the same as Msgr. Kekumano and make an impact in another’s life.”
“We are pleased to expand our Kekumano Scholarship program and make educational opportunities available to a larger number of outstanding students,” said Perry Martin, Maryknoll School president. “We believe it is important for young people to not only pursue college and successful careers, but also to serve others.”
Also receiving Kekumano scholarships are Elijah Altura, Kahokulani Canlas, Landon Hung, Kula Wheeler, Justin Baker, Taylor-Anne Atou, Kiana Valdez, Kiana Arcayena, Maia McNicoll, Konrad Cheng, Channen Dunn, Riho Kurihara, Eliza Muyano and Joseph Hinz. One remaining scholarship will be awarded at a later date.
Maryknoll School is the largest coeducational Catholic school in the state, enrolling more than 1,300 students in kindergarten through grade 12.
- The 16th annual Maryknoll School Kekumano Award and Scholarship Dinner, 5-9:30 p.m., May 3, at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, will honor pianist and philanthropist Ginny Tiu with the Noblesse Oblige Service Award. Tiu has been a lifelong advocate for the vulnerable, especially children, the elderly and animals. Tickets for the benefit dinner, at $200 a seat, may be purchased up to April 30. All proceeds go to the school’s Kekumano Scholarship Endowment Fund. To buy seats or make a donation, go to https://maryknol.ejoinme.org/kekumano2014 or call 952-7310
