The Turtle Bay Foundation awarded $60,000 in scholarships to students pursuing their dreams of higher education in May. To celebrate, we welcomed students and their families to a drive-thru scholarship awards ceremony at the resort’s stables, where they enjoyed music from Kapena before receiving their scholarship certificate.
“We are proud to be able to continue our tradition of supporting our remarkable North Shore and Ko‘olauloa students on their academic journeys. The most important thing we can do as leaders in the community is support learning for our students. Nothing gives them a better head start in life,” said Tom Donovan, vice president and managing director of Turtle Bay Resort.
Educational scholarships for the 2021-2022 academic year were awarded to 48 high school and college students from schools including Kahuku High and Intermediate School, Waialua High and Intermediate School, Leilehua High School, the University of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Pacific University and more.
“We commend these students for their perseverance in the face of the pandemic’s challenges and look forward to seeing all they accomplish in the coming year,” Donovan added.
One of the recipients is Leah Kaaua-Acorda, who is studying at Kapi‘olani Community College to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist.
“With this scholarship, I will be able to expand my career and continue my education in the following semesters while studying for my registered board exam for respiratory therapy,” said Leah Kaaua-Acorda, a five-time Turtle Bay Foundation Scholarship recipient from Waialua. “In the future, I want to give back to the community so other students will have the opportunity to achieve their goals as well.”
