Donegan-Burns Scholarship winner Aiesha Pradhan (center) is pictured with her dad, Shailesh Pradhan, and her mother, Sujana Pradhan.

NAPILI – This year, Maui Preparatory Academy was again able to offer the Pueo Pilot Scholarship, a full ride, four-year award that supports a promising student to pursue excellence in high school and beyond.

This year’s award is officially called the Donald S. Burns Pueo Pilot Scholarship, made possible by the Donegan-Burns Family Foundation.

Foundation representative and West Maui resident Greg Burns said, “We felt the school’s mission parallels our foundation’s drive to educate children who want to succeed in school and life. We are thrilled to be partnering up with the school and hope other foundations and companies consider similar programs to help our youth thrive.”

It is organizations like the Donegan-Burns Family Foundation that enable Maui Prep to open its doors to deserving students.

Fourteen outstanding students applied for the scholarship, representing Lahaina Intermediate School, Sacred Hearts, Hawaii Technology Academy, and Oahu schools.

This year’s winner is Aiesha Pradhan from Lahaina Intermediate School, who distinguished herself as a scholar, philanthropist, leader, athlete and more.

“I am honored to receive this prestigious award,” she said. “I am very excited to be attending Maui Preparatory Academy, and I will make the most of my four years there.”

Of the other 13 applicants, many of whom are receiving partial scholarship support through the Pueo Pilot program, eight are attending Maui Preparatory Academy, including Paloma Banto, Slater Fleck, Ashley Nielson, Anthony Nunez, Mateya Prestage, Noelle Sheveland and Keeana Villamar.

With the generous support of local families and foundations like the Burns family, Maui Preparatory Academy continues to expand its accessibility to local students through scholarship and aid programs, and to provide unique opportunities for growth, success and college admission.

To explore scholarship support opportunities, or to inquire for more information about day programs (preschool-12) or the Boarding Program (local, national, international, grades 8-12), e-mail admissions@

mauiprep.org