44 graduates get Citizenship Awards
By Loren Moreno
Advertiser Staff Writer
At Kaiser High School, everyone knows Sean Kehau Bangay. She was senior prom queen and a starter on the girls varsity basketball team. But she is much more than that.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
"She is one of the most giving, nurturing students," said Nanette Umede, Kaiser High's college counselor, of National Honor Society member and senior class president.
Sean Bangay, front, of Kaiser High School, and Marco Anich, of Kalaheo High School, were among 44 students recognized yesterday.
Bangay was among 44 graduating high school seniors honored with the 2005 Citizenship Awards yesterday at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki. Each received a $1,000 scholarship for college or career training.
This was the first year that the awards were presented. Supporters hope to make it annual.
The Citizenship Awards, given by the Department of Education in conjunction with the Hawai'i Hotel & Lodging Association, The Honolulu Advertiser and other members of the business community, go beyond recognition of academic achievement. They honor the students who are well-rounded and give back to their community.
Breene Harimoto, chairman of the state Board of Education, said: "These types of awards are important in order to instill the importance of service to the community and giving back."
Bangay already understands that. "For everyone to support me the way they did, I do want to give back," she said.
She volunteered as an elementary school tutor and ran a basketball clinic for Girl Scouts in Manoa with her teammates.
Bangay's mother, Yvonne, said she is proud of her daughter's dedication to helping others. "I always tried to teach her to be caring and nurturing," she said.
One student in each public high school's senior class who best reflected the DOE's "Vision of a High School Graduate" was selected. The vision is for all students to realize their goals; demonstrate the attitude, knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to and compete in a global society; exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship; and pursue postsecondary education and/or careers without need for remediation.
Troy Hashimoto, the honoree from King Kekaulike High School on Maui, was last year's BOE student member and the first student from Hawai'i to be a member of the National Association of Student Councils.
Trisha Grinaley, student activities coordinator at King Kekaulike, said Hashimoto always has been respected by his peers and by teachers.
Last school year, Hashimoto also helped institute a Teacher and Student of the Year Award on the Kekaulike campus. "This represents his commitment to recognize the accomplishments of others," said Grinaley.
Hashimoto plans to attend the University of Denver and pursue a degree in political science. He would one day like to run for local or state office.
Bangay plans to attend the University of Hawai'iiManoa and pursue a degree in physical therapy. She said she was inspired to go into the medical field when she underwent surgery to repair a knee after a basketball injury.
"These are the future adults and leaders in our community," Harimoto said.
Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2455.
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'Aiea High School, Amanda Clayton Radford High School, Samantha Long Farrington High School, My Phuong Vong Hana High & Elementary, Edmund Oliveira Hawaii Academy of Arts & Sciences Public Charter School, Kasie Rolon Kaiser High School, Sean Kehau Bangay Baldwin High School, Kaleena Wakamatsu Hilo High School, Ruth Kai Honoka'a High & Intermediate School, Jaydene Kanekoa Castle High School, Stacie Kukino Campbell High School, Jenny Huang Kahuku High & Intermediate School, Sara Mirels Kailua High School, Jennifer Sawada Kaimuki High School, Tra My Thi Phung Kalaheo High School, Marco Anich Kalani High School, Megan Muramatsu Kapa'a High School, Carrie Esaki Kapolei High School, Anna Kaneshiro Ka'u High School, Jennifer Villahermosa Kaua'i High School, Cedric Macadangdang Kea'au High School, May-Ling Bonner Kealakehe High School, Stacy Jeffrey Kihei Public Charter High School, Brenton Deardorff King Kekaulike High School, Troy Hashimoto Kohala High & Intermediate School, Marissa Ann Yanos Konawaena High School, Kendall Kunitake Lahainaluna High School, Albert Andres Lana'i High & Elementary, Megan Onuma Laupahoehoe High School, Shea Jones Leilehua High School, Annie Chung Maui High School, Wendee Murayama Mililani High School, Daniel Rogers Moanalua High School, Jomel Sumira Moloka'i High & Intermediate, Jacquelyne Buchalter Nanakuli High School, Clarence Sesepasara Pahoa High & Intermediate, Bryan Juan Pearl City High School, Brianne Baysa Roosevelt High School, Kristin Alm McKinley High School, Raphael Ieru Waiakea High School, Kacie Miura Waialua High & Intermediate School, Amy Paracuelles Wai'anae High School, Hokukeha Bingo Waimea High School, Brycen Hiraoka Waipahu High School, Nicole Kikuchi
A winner from each school
