The American Association of University Women — Hilo Branch recently awarded four scholarships to women attending the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College.
The UH-Hilo students were awarded $2,000 each and the HCC student was awarded $1,000. AAUW extends praise to all the excellent candidates this year for their work and perseverance during these times.
AAUW’s mission is to support equity for women and girls through education, leadership and advocacy. Supporting higher learning in the Big Island community is essential to that mission.
Women with an associate’s degree or equivalent bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university are invited to join. Contact lizhansen222@gmail.com for membership questions.
The 2020 scholarship recipients are:
• Allison Dupree is in her fourth year and is pursuing a business administration/health care management degree at UH-Hilo. Her dream career is to be an administrative executive in the women’s health care field. She has a deep passion for empowering women, especially in accessing adequate medical needs.
• Dawn McSwain is pursuing a master’s degree in tropical conservation biology and environmental science at UH-Hilo. McSwain’s passion resides in studying the coral reefs that benefit the world in many ways, including promoting fisheries, helping reduce the impact of storms and providing steady revenue from the tourist industry.
• Maybeleen Apwong is from Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia. She came to UH-Hilo to study unique environments of ecology and human interactions and forest dynamics. She is pursuing a master’s degree in tropical conservation biology and environmental science and researching the vulnerability of the mangrove forests on her home island.
• Shihui Chen is pursuing an associate’s degree at Hawaii Community College and is majoring in liberal arts. Upon completion she plans to attend a four-year university, studying art management. Chen’s passion for the arts rests in her belief that art is the path to bringing diverse people together through understanding and appreciation, promoting cultural exchanges and the sharing of the diverse cultures.