King Kekaulike Student Awarded Employee Scholarship from McDonald’s

Group photo Front Row L-R: Leannica Nathan – McDonald’s of Pearl City; Alona Sabugo – McDonald’s of Pukalani; Alyssa Eva – McDonald’s of Kapolei West; Crystalyn Sudaria – McDonald’s of Waipio; Vanessa Galvan – McDonald’s of Wahiawa; Eleonor Inea – McDonald’s of Makiki. Back Row L-R: Ed Yamamura – McDonald’s of Hawaiʻi Owner/Operator; Branden Delos Reyes – McDonald’s of Waiʻanae; Mark Ben Lawrence Dela Cruz – McDonald’s of Waipio; Daeson Miller – McDonald’s of Ewa Beach; Chyson Hoopai – McDonald’s of Kapolei West; Veronica Kaneko – McDonald’s of Hawaiʻi President & Managing Director). Photo courtesy of McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaiʻi.

King Kekaulike High School student, Alona Sabugo, was among a list of 10 McDonald’s employees who were awarded scholarships for showing exceptional leadership in the restaurant, classroom and community.

Sabugo, who works at the Pukalani branch, plans to use the $2,500 scholarship when she attends the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, where she plans to pursue a degree in nursing.

McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaiʻi awarded a total of $25,000 in scholarships to 10 of their top student employees, with each student honored at the company’s annual Employee Scholarship Awards Luncheon on Saturday, May 6.

“At McDonald’s, we understand the value of a great education and strive to provide our employees with the necessary tools and financial support to help them reach their goals,” said Miles Ichinose, McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaiʻi owner/operator. “These students represent the future leaders of our state and we are honored to play a role in helping them take this very important next step in their educational pursuits.”

In addition to the Employee Scholarship Program, McDonald’s also supports its staff with the Archways to Opportunity program, where employees are able to pursue a high school diploma and an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, as well as improve their English-language skills. Furthermore, employees are able to apply to become a McDonald’s National Employee Scholarship Program awardee.

To be eligible for this award, employees must be a high school senior or college student who demonstrates a strong commitment to their work, academics and community service activities. Each year, McDonald’s awards this scholarship to a select group of student employees from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Chyson Hoopai, one of this year’s Employee Scholarship recipients, has been selected as the National Employee Scholarship Program winner for the Hawaiʻi region. Chyson, who works for McDonald’s of Kapolei West, is a senior at Nānākuli High and Intermediate School where he excels academically. Chyson is also a member of the school’s National Honor Society and competed on the football, baseball and paddling teams.

Since 1995, McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaiʻi has awarded more than $345,000 in scholarships under the Employee Scholarship Program.

Below is the list of this year’s winners who will use their scholarships at the following institutions:

• Mark Ben Lawrence Dela Cruz – McDonald’s of Waipio.  Mark is a student at Waipahu High School and plans to attend the University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu to pursue a degree in healthcare.
• Branden Delos Reyes – McDonald’s of Waiʻanae. Branden is a student at Waiʻanae High School and plans to attend the University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu to pursue a degree in liberal arts.
• Alyssa Eva – McDonald’s of Kapolei West.  Alyssa is a student at Kapolei High School and plans to attend the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to pursue a degree in nursing.
• Vanessa Galvan – McDonald’s of Wahiawa.  Vanessa is a student at Leilehua High School and plans to attend the University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu to pursue a degree in nursing.
• Chyson Hoopai – McDonald’s of Kapolei West.  Chyson is a student at Nānākuli High & Intermediate School and plans to attend Honolulu Community College to pursue a degree in fire science.
• Eleonor Ines – McDonald’s of Makiki.  Eleanor is a student at Farrington High School and plans to attend the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to pursue a degree in English and education.
• Daeson Miller – McDonald’s of Ewa Beach.  Daeson is a student at James Campbell High School and plans to attend Kapiʻolani Community College to pursue a degree in culinary arts.
• Leannica Nathan – McDonald’s of Pearl City.  Leannica is a student at ʻAiea High School and plans to attend Grand Canyon University to pursue a degree in nursing.
• Alona Sabugo – McDonald’s of Pukalani.  Alona is a student at King Kekaulike High School and plans to attend the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College to pursue a degree in nursing.
• Crystalyn Sudaria – McDonald’s of Waipio.  Crystalyn is a student at Waipahu High School and plans to attend the University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu to pursue a degree healthcare administration.