Press Releases
July 16, 2012
Contact: Katie Tran-Lam
Director of Communications & Marketing
Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund
202-747-7236
ktranlam@apiasf.org
Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund Announces 2012 - 2013 Scholarship Recipients from Hawaii
More Than $52,000 in Scholarships will be Awarded to Help Increase Access to Higher Education for Local Students
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 16, 2012) - The Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF), the nation's largest nonprofit organization devoted to providing college scholarships for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), announced its latest class of scholarship recipients from Hawaii. The 17 students will receive scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 to help support their dream of higher education and access to APIASF's programs and services. The Scholars join an outstanding group of students from across the country and the Pacific Islands who comprise the 2012 - 2013 class of APIASF scholarship recipients.
Scholarship recipients from Hawaii hail from Aiea, Ewa Beach, Hilo, Honolulu, Keaau, Makawao, Wailuku and Waipahu. They plan to pursue a variety of majors and will be attending Azusa Pacific University, Boston University, Chaminade University, Hawaii Community College, Illinois Institute of Technology, Northern Arizona University, Pacific Lutheran University, Saint Louis University, University of Hawaii at Hilo, University of Hawaii at Manoa and University of Phoenix this fall.
"Access to higher education can make an incredible impact not only in the lives of students, but in their communities as they become the next generation of leaders," said Dr. Doris Ching, Emeritus Vice President for Student Affairs of the University of Hawai'i System. "As an Advisory Council member for APIASF, I have been able to see first-hand the organization's commitment to not only providing the financial resources students need, but to making sure that AAPI students aren't overlooked when it comes to policy, research and resources. A hearty congratulations to the outstanding 2012-13 APIASF Scholars!"
According to a 2011 report produced through a partnership with APIASF and the National Commission on Asian American and Pacific Islander Research in Education (CARE), the AAPI community experiences some of the lowest rates of educational attainment with some sub-populations having nearly 50 percent or more of adults who have never attended college. Since its inception, APIASF has worked to address this issue by providing college scholarships to the country's most underserved students. During that time, APIASF has award more than $250,000 in scholarships to students from Hawaii.
"As an organization, I am proud of our efforts to make a difference for the students of Hawaii and the broader AAPI community," said Neil Horikoshi, APIASF President & Executive Director. "In these challenging economic times, it takes the time and investment of the community to foster the success of our students. I would like to recognize the many community members and educators in Hawaii who have worked tirelessly to help support local students by encouraging them to pursue higher education and helping them identify resources like our scholarship programs to assist them on their journey."
Since 2003, APIASF has distributed more than $60 million in college scholarships to students across the country and in the U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States. APIASF's vision is to see that all AAPI students have access to higher education and the resources they need to achieve academic, personal and professional success.
About APIASF
Based in Washington, D.C., the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) is the nation's largest non-profit organization devoted to providing college scholarships for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). APIASF works to create opportunities for students to access, complete, and succeed after post-secondary education; thereby developing future leaders who will excel in their career, serve as role models in their communities, and will ultimately contribute to a vibrant America. Since 2003, APIASF has distributed more than $60 million in scholarships to deserving AAPI students. APIASF manages two scholarship programs: APIASF's general scholarship and the Gates Millennium Scholars/Asian Pacific Islander Americans funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
2012 - 2013 APIASF Scholarship Recipients from Hawaii:
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Monique Carvalho Ynah Patricia Esteban Jennifer In Tressie Kapono George Kekauoha Jr. Angelica Lao Johnson Leung Yui Chi Tiffany Lo Thien Phuc Nguyen |
Naomi Owens Sharmaine Sibayan Rhena Singh Kristi Tintiangco Layla Tulloch Ashley Wendt Lesley Wong Anonymous |