Honorable Mention
Island youths honored as Presidential Scholars

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer

During a recent trip to Washington, D.C., Magali Fassiotto and Naupaka Zimmerman proudly displayed their connection to Hawai'i.

United States Presidential Scholars Magali Fassiotto and Naupaka Zimmerman proudly displayed their Hawai'i ties during the awards trip. Photo courtesy Magali Fassiotto

"So everybody knew we were the Hawai'i kids," Fassiotto explained with a big smile. "We wanted to play up the whole Hawai'i thing. We were like, 'Man, we're special.'"

But their status wasn't only because of their home state. Fassiotto, of Waikiki, and Zimmerman, of Volcano, were among 141 students who went to the nation's capitol June 22-28 to be recognized as United States Presidential Scholars.

The United States Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by executive order to honor some of the nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors.

Scholars are selected either for their academic accomplishments or their artistic accomplishments. Fassiotto and Zimmerman, both of whom were chosen on the basis of academic achievement, were among more than 2,500 academic candidates selected based on their scores on the SAT or the ACT, the American College Test. Candidates were selected from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and from families of U.S. citizens living abroad.

As Presidential Scholars, Fassiotto and Zimmerman, both 18, received an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., where they attended a ceremony June 25 at the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall. Each scholar received a Presidential Scholars medallion at the ceremony and had the opportunity to meet President George W. Bush.

While the students spent the week meeting with government officials and sightseeing around the city, among other things, Fassiotto and Zimmerman said that a highlight of the trip was meeting the other scholars. Both students said they still keep in touch with many of them, mainly via e-mail.

"I made such good friends," Fassiotto said. "It was cool because there were, like, two people from every state, so you knew that you were really dealing with people from all over the country."

'Do it 'cause it's fun'

For Fassiotto and Zimmerman, high school wasn't just about achieving all-things academic. They also were immersed in extra-curricular activities. Fassiotto, for example, was a member of the track and cross country teams, and the Hawai'i Youth Opera Chorus, and she played the cello for her school orchestra.

Zimmerman's activities included being on the wrestling, track and cross country teams.

Both students said their parents helped them become model students.

But Fassiotto's father and Zimmerman's mother think their children deserve just as much credit.

"She's one of those people who's very focused," said Fassiotto's father, Mike.

Betsy Kodis, Zimmerman's mother, said her son was always "just really aware of things.

She added with a laugh, "He was kind of born wide awake."

Kodis also credited her son's public-school teachers.

"Without their hard work, love and caring for all the children in their classes, Naupaka would not be where he is today," Kodis said.

As Presidential Scholars, both students were asked to identify the educators who have most influenced them. For Fassiotto, that was her third-grade teacher, Hattie Eldredge Phillips. "Mrs. Phillips made each student feel as if he or she could come to her for anything," Fassiotto said.

Zimmerman was most influenced by his freshman biology teacher, Jamie Nekoba. "She was just always there (for me)," he said.

Since graduating from high school, Fassiotto and Zimmerman have spent the summer working; Fassiotto, as an intern at Bank of Hawaii, and Zimmerman at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park as part of the Youth Conservation Corps. Coincidentally, both will be attending Harvard this fall.

Their message to other students wanting to achieve great things is simply to do what brings you joy.

"If you're working so hard that you're not enjoying (what you're doing), it's not worth it," Zimmerman said.

Fassiotto also carried out this attitude throughout her school years. "Don't kill yourself doing anything because you think you have to do it," she said. "Do it 'cause it's fun."

Magali Fassiotto

Age: 18

Family: Mike and Marie-Jose Fassiotto, parents; Alana Fassiotto, 27, sister

Hometown: Waikiki

High school: Punahou School

High school accolades: member of National Honor Society, Sterling Scholar nominee, first place in the National Spanish Exam for 9th-12th graders, bilingual in English and French

Naupaka Zimmerman

Age: 18

Family: Robert Zimmerman and Betsy Kodis, parents; Kolea Zimmerman, 14, brother; Mali'o Kodis, 9, sister

Hometown: Volcano

High school: Waiakea High

High school accolades: valedictorian, Sterling Scholar-general winner, National Merit Scholar