Derek Larson, a Â鶹´«Ã½ Island high school student who has also been enrolled in classes at , was honored with a statewide college and career readiness award.
A senior at Konawaena High School, Larson was presented with the statewide Student Readiness Award at the Â鶹´«Ã½ ACT State Organization Conference in Honolulu on April 17. In addition, ACT has announced that Larson is one of just four semi-finalists who have been nominated for the national Student Readiness Award.
The Student Readiness Award recognizes academic accomplishments, college and career readiness and success in extracurricular activities.
Larson has a 4.2 high school grade-point average and is also on the dean’s list at Â鶹´«Ã½ CC where he has a 4.0 grade-point average. Larson is involved in extra-curricular activities, including sports and community service.
During the past year, Larson has been enrolled in Â鶹´«Ã½ CC classes as part of the college’s Running Start program. Running Start and other early college options at Â鶹´«Ã½ CC allow Larson and other high school students to enroll in Â鶹´«Ã½ CC classes and receive dual credit, which count as both high school credit and college credit.
Preparing for the future
Larson is projected to graduate from high school having already completed 36 college credits. He plans to attend in Albany, New York this fall where he will major in nursing and also enroll in pre-med courses.
Taking science classes at Â鶹´«Ã½ CC while in high school helped him choose the medical field for his undergraduate studies, said Larson.
“I was really able to explore the sciences, anatomy, microbiology, and that led me to wanting to join the medical field,” Larson said. The Â鶹´«Ã½ CC classes will also reduce the cost of his four-year degree because some of his pre-requisites are already complete, said Larson.
Jason Cifra, Â鶹´«Ã½ CC’s vice chancellor for student affairs, said Larson is a great example of why early college opportunities are provided to students.
“Derek has used early college courses from Â鶹´«Ã½ CC to become college-ready, and we are excited that he is being recognized by ACT,” said Cifra.
ACT also recognizes Â鶹´«Ã½ CC
At the conference in Honolulu, Â鶹´«Ã½ CC also received special recognition as the recipient of the “Career Preparedness Award.”
In announcing the award, the Â鶹´«Ã½ ACT State Organization said, “Â鶹´«Ã½ Community College made significant strides helping its students prepare for a successful career. Â鶹´«Ã½ Community College serves as a role model institution for others.”
For more information about Â鶹´«Ã½ Community College’s early college programs, visit or call (808) 934-2726.
—By Thatcher Moats