The 2013 University of Hawai?i winners were honored at a dinner July 18 at the .
The scholarship program is an ongoing effort to keep the state¡¯s best and brightest right here in Hawai?i.
¡°The Board of Regents established these scholarships to support students at all 10 UH campuses across the state who have records of outstanding academic and community achievement,¡± said John Holzman, the UH Board of Regents chair.
are given to 20 incoming freshman. They are all local high school graduates and well-rounded students who more than excelled in the classroom and in their national college entrance exams.
The are incoming college juniors with a high grade-point-average and evidence of superior academic achievement or creative endeavor.
All of the scholars receive full tuition waivers, $4,000 a year and a $2,000, one-time, travel grant.
¡°When I heard that I got the presidential scholarship, it was kind of this moment where the clouds parted and I knew I had a home, I knew I was supported,¡± said Aleca Borsuk, a 2013 UH Presidential Scholar. ¡°It was a game changer. It really was.¡±
¡°It¡¯s just a new opportunity for me to start and go onto to the path of my dream to go to med school,¡± said 2013 UH Regent Scholar Sylvia Koo, a Kalani High School graduate.
Of course, the tuition waiver is a huge benefit for the scholarship winners and their parents.
¡°My sister, too,¡± said Koo. ¡°She is not in high school yet. She will be going to college and that will save up money for her as well.¡±
But there is more to the program than just the substantial financial aid.
¡°One of the real benefits of being a regents or presidential scholar is that you have this built in network when you come to ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ of people who are determined and achieved a lot already and are looking to achieve more.¡± Alexander Bitter, a 2012 UH Regent Scholar and UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ student.
¡°Through the regents and presidential scholars program, I was able to meet and befriend many wonderful people,¡± agreed fellow 2012 UH Regent Scholar and ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ student Angelica Wai Sam Lao.
Most of all, the program gives all of the scholars an opportunity to better themselves and make Hawaii and the world a better place.
¡°My ultimate dream is to become a surgeon,¡± said Koo.
¡°Well, I am interested in material sciences as applied to renewable energy,¡±said Lao.
¡°I am interested in material sciences as applied to renewable energy,¡± said Borsak.
For more about the scholarship, including how to apply, go to the .