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Maui County FCU awards $20,000 in college scholarships

By Staff | Sep 17, 2021

Maui County Federal Credit Union awarded 20 students $1,000 scholarships during the 2020-21 school year.

WAILUKU — Maui County Federal Credit Union (FCU) awarded 20 students with $1,000 scholarships toward their college education. Over the past two decades, Maui County FCU has awarded scholarships totaling $257,000 to students pursuing higher education throughout the County of Maui.

“It has been a challenging year for students, with many families struggling financially. Maui County Federal Credit Union is committed to the value of a college education and its support of students in their endeavor to further their education and achieve their dreams. Now more than ever, we want to help Maui’s future generation continue their pursuit of a college education and chose to give an additional five scholarships this year, for a total of 20 scholarships,” stated Gary Fukuroku, Maui County FCU president/CEO. “We are honored to play a role in growing Maui’s future leaders.”

This year’s scholarship recipients consist of 12 incoming college freshmen, six returning undergraduates and two attending graduate school. Fields of study range from medicine and education to business management and engineering.

The scholarship recipients are: Abigail Akamine, Ohio Northern University; Karina Bhattacharya, University of Houston; Manuel Castro, St. Martin’s University; Liam Chadli, Grand Canyon University; Stacia Eng, University of Oregon; Dylan Falces, University of Hawaii at Manoa; Connor Fernandez, Northern Arizona University; Anna Gragas, Chapman University; Sharae Hanchett, University of Hawaii Maui College; Lea Kashiwamura, Grand Canyon University; Megan Koga, UH-Manoa; Issac Jon Lazo, UH-Manoa; Kobe Lilio, George Fox University; Shanelle Longboy, UH-West Oahu; Jonathan Merchant, Carleton College; Mindy Montalvo, UH-Manoa; Dawson Nolasco, Scottsdale Community College; Matthew Paden, UH-Maui College; Avrilyne Quimangan, UH-Maui College; and Kelsie Sparks, Colorado State University.

Anna Gragas, a King Kekaulike High School alumna, explained, “After obtaining my bachelor’s degree from Chapman University in Southern California, I returned home to Maui to work as a scribe in the ER, where I realized that I wanted to pursue medicine. For me, medicine combines my interests in science and the human body with the ability to help people of our community. I am now a second-year medical student on Oahu at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, and am interested in emergency medicine or OB-GYN. I intend to practice in Hawaii after completing my residency training and cannot wait to give back to the community that helped me get to where I am today.”

Connor Fernandez, a Haleakala Waldorf High School graduate, is working toward obtaining a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management at Northern Arizona University.

He shared what his college education means to him: “I will be able to jump-start my career in a way that I wouldn’t have been able to if I weren’t to have attended a university. I think it is important that I have a platform to start my life, and I believe that a degree, along with the confidence and connections college has given me, will do just that.”

Issac Jon Lazo, a Maui High School alumnus, is pursuing a degree in Human Development and Family resources at University of Hawaii at Manoa.

He shared that he “plans on becoming a child and family counselor. By doing so, I hope to provide the youth of my community with a vision of a brighter and healthier pathway in life. Therefore, producing stronger citizens of Hawaii.”

For details on Maui County FCU’s scholarship, visit https://www.mauicountyfcu.org/scholarships.html.