Hailey Bogar was honored as Student Athlete of the Year.

LAHAINA – The Sophie DeLoria Foundation announced that this year’s Sophie Scholarships were awarded to Hailey Bogar and Nalu Ho of the Lahainaluna High School Class of 2020.

“This year, we were able to provide two $1,000 scholarships to two wonderful young graduates. We wish them both the best in their next chapter of their lives,” said Realtor Susan C. DeLoria.

Bogar noted, “Thank you for giving me this opportunity of getting to celebrate Sophie. I actually received the Sophie Trophy back in young, young swim days, and it was such an honor. I can remember her energetic face hanging off the monkey bars at Kam third (King Kamehameha III Elementary School). So to say the least, I am honored.

“I realized that the water was my happy place at a very young age. Joining the Lahaina Swim Club at eight years old was one of the greatest decision I have ever made. I found myself in so many new relationships, built up many skills – like patience and preserving, and of course swimming – but most importantly created so many amazing memories that will last me forever,” she continued.

“I joined the high school swim team and water polo team freshman year and loved competing in the MIL League. I was a team captain for the Lahainaluna High School swim team for three years, and it taught me strength and kindness working with such an array if individuals. Even though my senior water polo year was cut short, with the small time we did have I was so proud to be a captain to those amazingly powerful Lady Lunas.

Nalu Ho celebrates graduating from Lahainaluna High School on Sunday, May 24.

“Lahainaluna declared me as the Student Athlete of the Year. It is such an honor to show kids that you can be a top athlete while still be your class Valedictorian. Anything you put your mind to is possible. With that, I will be attending Northern Arizona University to double major in Marketing and Hotel and Restaurant Management. My vision is to come back to Maui and use the new knowledge I receive to better the tourism in Hawaii.

“Lastly, I just wanted to thank my mentors and coaches over the years, especially Coach Tom, who pushed me in ways I didn’t know I could be pushed. Thank you coach for all the memories.”

Ho is a humble, quiet, hardworking kid that graduated as Valedictorian and Student Athlete of the Year.

Nalu was also the chess club president and the first student to beat Coach Pete in a game.

Nalu was named Most Valuable Player for Lahainaluna’s boys varsity soccer team.

He has a passion for the ocean and was captain of the surf team for two years. Nalu was honored as MVP in 2019.

He has also competed in many sailing regattas, including states in different classes and nationals.

Over the last five years, Nalu has apprenticed at Stanford Yacht Tenders learning to weld and working with metal.

He plans to go to Maine Maritime Academy in the fall to become a third engineer in the NOAA Corps.

He’s a young man who loves learning, dreaming big and putting it into action.

For more information on the Sophie DeLoria Foundation, visit SophieDeLoria.org.