19 students win Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce scholarships

WAILUKU, Hawaii — The Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce Foundation has selected 19 outstanding Fil-Am students for its 2019 Scholarship award.

“Thanks to the success of our Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament chaired by Bill Ruidas and our scholarship partners, we are able to award nineteen scholarships this year,” said Jorge Tirona, president of the Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation.

“Each of these high school graduates excelled in the classroom, on their standardized college entrance exams, received many awards and honors, and were active volunteers in the community. We congratulate each recipient and their parents.”

The scholarship recipients are:

Joanna Marie Acosta, daughter of Mario Acosta and Maggie Acosts. Joanna graduated from Lahainaluna High School and will attend University of Nevada Las Vegas, majoring in Accounting. Acosta will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation Scholarship.

Nida Bergoust, daughter of Daniel Bergoust and Cristina Bergoust. Nida graduated from Maui High School and will attend Boise State University, majoring in Pre-Optomertry. Bergoust will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation Scholarship.

Nya-Shayla Estrada Cachola, daughter of Arthur Cachola and Lorelei Estrada Cachola. Nya-Shayla graduated from Maui High School and will attend Hawaii Pacific University, majoring in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Cachola will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation/Tante & Araceli Urban Foundation Scholarship.

Misty Dela Cruz, daughter of Rene Dela Cruz and Margie Dela Cruz. Misty graduated from Maui High School and will attend University of Hawaii Maui College, majoring in Computer Science or Fine Arts. Dela Cruz will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation/Sabado Art Foundation Scholarship.

Jaimelee Felipe, daughter of Mark Felipe and Ester Felipe. Jaimelee graduated from Kamehameha Schools Maui and will attend Davidson College, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Felipe will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation Scholarship.

Denise Marie Angel Galano, daughter of Dennis Galano and Angelita Galano. Denise graduated from Maui High School and will attend Washington State University, majoring in Architectural Engineering. Galano will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation/Friends of Gil Keith-Agaran Scholarship.

Noah Garcia, son of Daniel Bal Garcia and Arleeen A. Ricalde-Garcia. Noah graduated from Seabury Hall and will attend Yale College, majoring in Biomedical Engineering. Garcia will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation Scholarship.

Thereese Guzman, daughter of Donald S. Guzman and Rose Guzman. Thereese graduated from Maui High School and will attend Pepperdine University, majoring in Sports Medicine. Guzman will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation Scholarship.

Kaelyn Kato, daughter of Gary M. Kato and Debra L. Kato. Kaelyn graduated from Kamehameha Schools Maui and will attend University of Portland, majoring in Early Education. Kato will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation Scholarship.

Joshua Lee, son of Steven Lee and Sue Lee. Joshua graduated from Maui High School and will attend University of Washington, majoring in Creative Writing. Lee will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation/Antonio Fartan Ayson Family Scholarship.

Nico Andrei Manzano, son of Dickson Manzano and Buenafe Manzano. Nico graduated from Maui High School and will attend University of Portland, majoring in Economics. Manzano will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation/Richard Caldito, Sr. Scholarship.

Cassidy Matsuda, daughter of Mark Matsuda and Gwyn Matsuda. Cassidy was graduated from Maui High School and will attend University of Oregon, majoring in Business Administration. Matsuda will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation/Megan, Meredith & Mallory Bagoyo Scholarship in Business.

Josh Ooka, son of Byron Ooka and Glennis Ooka. Josh graduated from H.P. Baldwin High School and will attend University of California Los Angeles, majoring in Biology. Ooka will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation Scholarship.

Nikki Ooka, daughter of Byron Ooka and Glennis Ooka. Nikki graduated from H.P. Baldwin High School and will attend University of Washington, majoring in Biology. Ooka will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation Scholarship.

Katrina Rabang, daughter of Rodrigo Rabang and Mary Ann Rabang. Katrina graduated from Maui High School and will attend University of Hawaii Maui College, majoring in Nursing. Rabang will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation Scholarship.

Hailee-Adrianna Sanchez, daughter of Clifford Sanchez and Ruella Sanchez. Hailee-Adrianna graduated from Maui High School and will attend University of Laverne, majoring in Biology. Sanchez will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation/Rev. Walter Baloaloa Memorial Scholarship.

Katriana Mae Tolentino, daughter of Romulo Tolentino and Haydee Mae Tolentino. Katriana graduated from Maui High School and will attend University of Hawaii Manoa, majoring in Molecular Cell Biology. Tolentino will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation/Maui Island Cozy Dental Scholarship.

Cameron Viernes, daughter of Virgilio A. Viernes and Courtney N. Balkovek-Viernes. Cameron graduated from H.P. Baldwin High School and will attend University of Hawaii Maui College, majoring in Natural Science. Viernes will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation Scholarship.

Payton Viloria, son of Patrick Viloria and Menchie Viloria. Payton graduated from Maui High School and will attend Brigham Young University, majoring in Computer Science. Viloria will receive a $1,000 Maui Filipino Chamber Foundation Scholarship. Since 1995, scholarships have been awarded to 168 graduating high school seniors and five students at the Maui Culinary Academy.