Jonah Kirkham commits to attend Trinity Western University, surrounded by his parents, Ryan and Stephanie, brother Asher and sister Avery.

NAPILI — The Maui Preparatory Academy Class of 2021 listed just 20 graduates, but they will all be remembered for their outstanding accomplishments throughout their years at the independent school at the foothills in Napili.

Among that group is Jonah Kirkham, the son of Ryan and Stephanie Kirkham and older brother to Asher and Avery. The entire family was thrilled to learn recently that Jonah, an accomplished tri-athlete and cross country runner, has been awarded a partial scholarship to attend Trinity Western University in British Columbia, Canada.

It is also the school both of his parents attended before coming to Maui.

Young Jonah has been competing in triathlons, cross country and track and field for some eight years now, becoming one of the top youth athletes here on the West Side.

He has been a consistent state qualifier for cross country and track, and one of the top youth finishers in local triathlon events.

Jonah earned academic honors on the Maui Prep Headmaster’s List and Honor Roll with a 3.8 grade point average. He plans to concentrate in media and communications, as well as videography and photography at Trinity Western.

Maui Prep College Counselor Keenan Reader expressed the school’s pleasure in Jonah’s successful journey: “Maui Prep couldn’t be more proud of Jonah’s commitment to pursue the challenges of being a student-athlete in college.”

Jonah credited his parents, teachers, coaches and the community for his success.

“My mom and dad, my teachers and coaches, including Bradley Weiss, Flora Duffy, Carson Madsen, Rob Lloyd and so many others, all had a lasting influence on me during my time here at Maui Prep. I will be heading up to school in mid-August, and I would like to say thank you all for the support and memories throughout the years,” Kirkham concluded.