The Paia Youth & Cultural Center (PYCC) has rewarded the loyalty of four of its members. These young adults were picked from their exceptional applications and personal interviews to receive the PYCC Scholarship Fund, which was open to high school seniors, GED holders, and first year community college students who have been members of PYCC for multiple years.
This is a notable year for the organization. For the first time since the scholarship was established in 2005, outside donors in the community contributed to the funds. Before 2015, the Campbell family was the only financer of the scholarship. This means PYCC was able to grant even more money to its deserving recipients.
The recipients for the 2015 Paia Youth & Cultural Center Scholarship Fund are:
Derrin Allan Kamanaokekai Johnson, who received $6,000 ($2,000 from the Campbell Family Fund and $4,000 from community donors). Having graduated King Kekaulike High School in 2012, Johnson is now a three-time recipient of the award. He is currently enrolled at UHMC for a degree in renewable resources or sustainable energy and holds a 3.8 GPA. Personal hobbies include playing basketball with friends and coworkers, jamming on the ukulele, body boarding, and skateboarding. Johnson was only eight when he joined PYCC and kept returning for every single program at the center. His first experience in the working world was even at PYCC’s StoneWave Skate Park.
Xander Robertson, who received $4,000 ($2,000 from the Campbell Family Fund and $2,000 from the community donors). Robertson earned a diploma from Aberdeen Academy and spends his days outside either skateboarding or surfing. This award recipient incorporates his creativity into his adventurous lifestyle, being an avid cinematographer whose photographs have appeared in Flow Skateboarding Magazine and Transworld Skateboarding. Robertson intends to hone his skills in the media arts and seeks a career in photography and filmmaking. Throughout all his pursuits Robertson has been an active PYCC member for nine years, participating in every program.
Kalani Hadley, who received $4,000 ($2,000 from the Campbell Family Fund and $2,000 from community donors). Hadley has finished one year at UHMC’s culinary school and aspires for his chef skills to reach famedom. His prowess at whipping up fine cuisine was developed from many years dedicated to the Pa`ia Bay Cafe program. Hadley was also a regular at another PYCC program, the StoneWave Skate Park. This recipient has held membership at PYCC since 2005.
Selina Del Castillo, who received $4,000. Castillo is a H.P Baldwin High School graduate and a perfect GPA holder with a 4.0. She spent the last three years of high school as a competitive wrestler. Other than physical activity, Castillo is also an enthusiast for photography. Future plans include graduating from UHMC with a degree in business. Castillo has been a part of PYCC since she was nine years old.
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