Olivia Bozich was a three-sport scholar-athlete for four years at Maui Prep and captain of all three teams: cross country, swimming and track and field.

NAPILI – Despite the anguish and anxiety that was supposed to be the celebratory highlight of high school graduation here on Maui and across the nation, the seniors are left to online and ingenious drive-through ascent ceremonies. Lost are the recognition of hundreds of academic, athletic and service accomplishments of the graduates.

At Maui Preparatory Academy, little fanfare was given to a list of sterling scholar-athletes among the graduates of the Napili independent school campus. But thanks to the diligence of Athletic Director and College Counselor Keenan Reader, a list of Pueo scholar-athletes was obtained.

At the top of that list is Olivia Bozich, a three-sport scholar-athlete for four years at Maui Prep and captain of all three teams: cross country, swimming and track and field. A state qualifier in cross country and swimming, she served as student body president and a member of the National Honor Society chapter. Bozich plans to attend the University of Wisconsin to study marketing.

Likewise, Jerone Samari shined as a three sport, four-year sports participant for the Pueo. Samari earned letters on the cross country, swimming and golf teams, and he was a swimming state champion in the first-ever Unified Division for disabled athletes. Also a member of the Science Olympiad Team and NHS secretary, Jerone will attend Duke University to study theoretical physics.

Ty Kirby led the surfing team and was the 2018 bodyboard champion and a shortboard and bodyboard silver medalist in 2019. He will attend the University of Hawaii Maui College in the fall.

Jerone Samari shined as a three sport, four-year sports participant for the Pueo.

Banyan Neece served as Maui Prep’s student body vice president while earning MIL All-Star recognition with the paddling team. He is headed for Creighton University to study finance.

Eva Kareneva Simpson was also a MIL All-Star paddler and was a member of the school’s NHS club. She will attend Creighton University in the fall to follow a pre-law course of study.

Harrison Crammond was a four-sport student-athlete in cross country, basketball, surfing and golf. He surfed monster waves at Peahi as his senior project and was a member of the NHS club. Bond University is Crammond’s college choice, where he will study business.

Ava Merrill participated in cross country, swimming and tennis while serving as senior class president and NHS president. A National Merit Scholar and a Science Olympiad medalist, Merrill will attend Brigham Young University and major in economics.

Nadine Cunha was also a three-sport athlete in cross country, swimming and surfing for Maui Prep. She will attend Otis College of Art and Design to pursue a career in graphic design.

Nadine Cunha was another three-sport athlete for Maui Prep.

Griffin Gibson led the Pueo golf team as its captain and was a state qualifier on the links. He was a member of the NHS club and will study business at Clemson University after graduation.

Hunter Higgins played basketball and golf for Maui Prep and was also an NHS chapter member. Higgins will attend Louisiana State University this fall in the Sports Journalism Department.

Congratulations and best wishes for continuing success for all of the Maui Prep graduates!

Banyan Neece earned MIL All-Star recognition with the paddling team.

Ty Kirby was the 2018 bodyboard champion and a shortboard and bodyboard silver medalist in 2019.