Ricarda LaQuesha Maria "Kekoa" Hawkins
MORSE HIGH SCHOOL.

Kekoa Hawkins is a graduate of Morse High School and has been accepted to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) where she will major in Visual Communications. Active in her community and studies, Kekoa was an honor roll student, competed in Track and Field, performed with Kaleo O'Nalani Polynesian Dancers and has organized and coordinated fundraisers to benefit communities, such as the Sons and Daughters of Guam Club and school projects. Her goals include owning her own business in event planning and hosting a fashion show for the Pacific Islander community.

Leilani Matasaua Metz
STANFORD UNIVERSITY

Leilani Metz, is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies at Stanford University.  Leilani is an intern with the Samoan Community Development Center in San Francisco helping to develop a Samoan language curriculum for the Pacific Islander Youth Alliance (PIYA) summer camp and collaborates with the Pacific Islander Leaders of Tomorrow (PILOT) program coordinators on educational research.  Her goals for the next year is to collaborate with community partners and Stanford University to create a document that will help educate teachers about Pacific Islander youth identity with an idea that is now the process of becoming a research grant proposal.

James Christopher Mason
HIGH TECH HIGH SCHOOL

James Mason, a graduating senior from High Tech High School, has been accepted to San Diego State University and is pursuing a degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology with his biggest career goal as being a firefighter.  Advocate for an athletic program at his school, he started the first Wrestling team at his high school.  James interned at the Shiley Eye Center at the University of California, San Diego and assisted with patient care and also participated in a project with the Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse. 

Nicole Marie Jordan
MIRA MESA HIGH SCHOOL

Nicole Jordan, a graduating senior with honors from Mira Mesa High School, has been accepted to San Diego State University and is interested entering the business marketing field. Nicole participated in the Agat Social club and the San Diego Police Department’s Annual Safety Patrol Camp, as a counselor. 

Kristen Paruginog
HELIX CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL

Kristen Paruginog, a graduating senior from Helix Charter High School, has been accepted to San Diego State University.  Kristen has participated in many leadership roles through community involvement with programs, such as, National and Global Youth Service Day, “Share your Heart” Project with AT&T Service Pioneers, I Love a Clean San Diego, Domestic Violence Support, AIDS Walk, Blind Community Center and so much more, as she volunteered, fundraised and spoke for.  She performs and has had the honor of winning competitions with Kaleo Onalani Polynesian Dancers. 

Tasi Marie Taitano Rodriguez
POINT LOMA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY

Tasi Rodriguez is currently pursuing a degree in Sociology at Point Loma Nazarene University.  Tasi is an advocate for the homeless community as she volunteers regularly.  She also finds joy as a youth sponsor for the Mission Valley Church of the Nazarene Youth Group and participates with the Point Loma Nazarene’s Concert Choir.  Recently, she studied abroad in Fiji through the EduVenture program, which emphasizes cross-cultural awareness and simplicity as a lifestyle.  She will be studying abroad again in South Africa.  Her future goals include traveling to different locations and learning more about their people and culture.

Maelani Marie Acfalle
HELIX CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL

Maelani Acfalle, a graduating Senior from Helix Charter High School has been accepted to San Francisco State University.  Maelani participated actively in her school as a class officer, received the honor of being on the honor role, since her Freshman year, and awarded a scholastic honor award.  She is very active in her Pacific Islander community through volunteer efforts and services and is the reigning queen for the Liberation of Guam program for the Sons and Daughters of Guam Club (SDGC).  Maelani’s goals include studying in the fields of Interior Decorator and Events Coordinator.

Victoria Calip Rodriguez
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO

Victoria Rodriguez currently attends the University of California, San Diego and is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.  Victoria has participated with St. Jerome’s Parish Youth Choir, World’s Children’s Day Walk, California Scholarship Federation and more.  She is active in her Pacific Islander community as a participant of the Pacific Asian Club at her school and a member of the Natibu Dance Company “Hacha” of San Diego: Hula Halau’OKaleolani Kia ‘iokahula Hawaii.

Janina Tutasi Falo
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY

Janina Falo has been attending San Diego Mesa College and will be transferring to San Diego State University in the Fall to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and a Master’s Degree in School Counseling.  She has had the opportunity to work with children at the Children’s Development Center at Mesa College and Ross Elementary School. 

Michael Cruz Hara
CAL POLY POMONA UNIVERSITY

Michael Hara currently attends Cal Poly Pomona University and is studying Biomedical Engineering in graduate school, where he will receive a PhD in specialized areas of oncology and neurological disease, including Alzheimer’s Disease.  He volunteers regularly with St. Vincent DePaul, has received multiple placements on the Dean’s List and membership into nationally recognized honor societies and clubs.  As a student of the College of Engineering, Michael interned in an REU research internship at UC Riverside where he investigated the conductivity of carbon nanotube films on the growth of neurons.  The experience took him to the Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research and has been given a position to perform research at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez.