From left, Mindi, Maxx, Ken and Ryli Cherry attend the scholarship presentation at Lahaina Aquatic Center.

LAHAINA — The Sophie DeLoria Foundation Memorial Scholarship was recently awarded to graduating Lahainaluna High School senior Maxx Cherry. The $1,000 scholarship is annually presented to a Lahaina Swim Club and Lahainaluna student-athlete who exemplifies the spirit of Sophie DeLoria, who passed away 11 years ago.

Cherry expressed his appreciation to the DeLoria family in saying, “Thank you very much for the scholarship, as it will help me a lot to attain my dreams for school.”

Cherry will be attending Northern Arizona University to study computer engineering.

Susan and J.D. DeLoria were on hand for the presentation and congratulated Cherry.

“We are more than happy to support Lahaina Swim Club and Maxx Cherry, and we wish him all the best. Congratulations,” said Susan poolside at the Lahaina Aquatic Center last week.

She added that the seventh annual Sophie Swim, postponed the last two years due to the pandemic, will take off again on Aug. 28 at Kahekili Beach Park in Kaanapali.

This is an open water 2K swim race for kids and adults ages 12 and up. Swimmers compete by age category and either with or without fins.

Prizes that have been generously donated by the local community will be given to the winners and runners up in each category, as well as medals and ribbons.

This swim event has grown tremendously over the years; at the last in-person event in 2019, there were over 200 swimmers! It’s fun and for all the family.

Organized by the Sophie DeLoria Foundation, any proceeds will be donated to the foundation that provides for local keiki groups focusing on swimming, dance and the arts.

Swimmers can sign up online at https://flpregister.com/574. The youth race starts at 8 a.m. followed by the adults at 8.15 a.m. Event details are posted on Facebook (facebook.com/theSophieSwim),visit www.SophieDeLoria.org or call Susan DeLoria (808-250-5948) or JD DeLoria (808-298-5948).

Kahekilli Beach Park is privately owned and operated by the Kaanapali North Beach Masters Association at their sole expense. This beach park property and its facilities are made available to the public for primarily casual park uses and beach access, subject to signage at the park which clearly indicates and states rules and regulations for use and enjoyments of the facilities during posted hours only and strictly prohibiting commercial uses.