UH-Hilo Alumni and Friends awards scholarships

The University of Hawaii at Hilo Alumni and Friends Association awarded four students with its 2015-16 scholarships.

Keala Cowell and Joanna Norton each received $2,000 and Joyce Lilly and Chelsea Sato were awarded $1,000, to be applied toward their education at UH-Hilo.

Cowell is seeking a bachelor of science degree in agriculture in the pre-veterinary track. She plans on applying to Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences next fall. Cowell was involved with the Student Union and served as senator of the College of Agriculture for the UH-Hilo Student Association.

Norton graduated from UH-Hilo with a B.A. in biology and will be entering the Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science master degree program this fall. She has been working since last spring as a research technician, experimenting with the restoration of hybrid forests with native and noninvasive species.

Lilly, inspired by the statement “He alii ka aina,” “This land is your chief,” is pursuing a B.A. in Hawaiian studies and a B.S. in agriculture with a tropical horticulture specialty.

Sato is working on a double major in chemistry and mathematics. She participated in the Global Education and Exchange program by studying in South Korea for a year, and assisted students from South Korea and Palau through the International Buddy Program.

The UH-Hilo Alumni and Friends Association organizes two signature events annually to fund these scholarships: the Alumni Scholarship Golf Tournament, scheduled this year for Oct. 24 at the Waikoloa Beach Resort, and the Distinguished Alumni and Service Awards Banquet on Feb. 27, 2016.