3 Maui Students Awarded 2011 HMSA Scholarships

By Wendy Osher

From L-R is Gwen Miyasato (HMSA Executive Vice President), Zachary Pezzilllo (Seabury Hall), Miracle Helekahi (Hana High & Elementary School), and Chris Nunokawa (Kamehameha Schools Maui). Photo courtesy: HMSA.

More than $60,000 was awarded to Hawaii high schools and outstanding student athletes across the state over the weekend.  A total of 30 high schools and 22 student athletes received honors at the 2011 HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program.

The list of recipients included  Kamehameha Schools-Maui, and Seabury Hall recognized for achieving the highest program scores in their league and division in athletics, academics, sportsmanship, and community service.

“We’re very proud to sponsor the HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program, the only program in the state to reward academics, sportsmanship, community service, and athletics,” said Robert P. Hiam, HMSA president and chief executive officer. “Today’s ceremony was inspiring and uplifting. It was a tribute to the outstanding achievements of Hawaii’s high school students and schools,” said Hiam.

From L-R is Kealoha, Zachary Pezzillo, Miracle Helekahi, and Robert Hiam (HMSA President & Chief Executive Officer). Photo courtesy: HMSA.

There were also three Maui students who were awarded $2,000 scholarships each.  The Maui recipients were Zachary Pezzillo of Seabury Hall, Miracle Helekahi of Hana High & Elementary School, and Chris Nunokawa of Kamehameha Schools Maui. Both Pezzillo and Helekahi were also recognized as distinguished scholarship recipients and received an additional $1,000 each.

“For HMSA, this program is a long-term investment in our young people and the community,” said Hiam. “We consider it an honor and a privilege to be able to support Hawaii’s future leaders.”

The HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program is administered by the Hawaii High School Athletic Association.  The program recognizes all-around accomplishments by high schools, rewards individual student athletes with scholarships, and supports coaches’ education.