2008 Student Scholarship Winners
Congratulations to Abigail Trenhaile and Lorie Anne Acio, our 2008 Student Scholarship winners! Abigail and Lorie Anne will receive a check for $1,000 each at our Scholarship Luncheon on August 9.
Winners were selected based on their dedication to journalism, financial need and commitment to Asian American and Pacific Islander issues.
Thanks again to those who attended our 20th Anniversary Banquet earlier this year, which raised more than $4,000 for our scholarship fund!
Please join us in congratulating our winners:
Abigail Trenhaile
Abigail Trenhaile is an 18-year-old sophomore at University of Hawai'i at Manoa studying political science and journalism with a minor in economics. She is the news editor of Ka Leo O Hawai'i and likes to write about Native Hawaiian issues. Abigail recently participated in the UNITY On Campus project for college students in Chicago, a journalism program that coincided with the UNITY Convention. Born and raised in Kane'ohe, Abigail is hapa-haole, with a little Hawaiian. Besides writing, she enjoys watching old movies and eating Korean food. In 2007 Abigail graduated from Kamehameha Schools, where she served as editor-in-chief for the school newspaper, Ka Mo'i.
Lorie Anne Acio
Born on March 28, 1989 in Rizal, Philippines, Lorie Anne Acio is the youngest of three to Pedro and Leonora Acio. Five years after migrating to Hawai'i, she lost her father to pancreatic cancer. Despite the transition and heartbreak, Lorie Anne strives to help others through media. She has a passion for writing, and she dreams of becoming a journalist. She is currently attending the University of Oregon Robert D. Clark Honors College as a first year pre-journalism student. This past year, she was a host for Duck U, the school's broadcast variety show, and was a writer for KD (Korean Ducks) Magazine.
As a journalist, the Waipahu High School graduate hopes to continue her pursuit in educating and bringing awareness to the public. Through voice, she aims to bridge the old and new generations, the different cultures, and different perspectives. She believes that a journalist not only conveys truth, represents, or reports to the community, but also serves them to make a positive difference.
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2008 AAJA Summer Interns
Every year, AAJA Hawai'i funds two internships at The Honolulu Advertiser and The Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
This year's Advertiser intern is Ashley Ako. Ashley is the layout/art director for The Rebel Yell, the student newspaper at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she played a major role in the paper's redesign. An aspiring layout designer, Ako is majoring in integrated marketing communications with a minor in art history, and is a Wai'anae High School graduate. At Wai‘anae, she designed news pages for the student newspaper, Ka Leo O Wai‘anae, where she was intrigued with creating graphics and utilizing colors to catch readers' eyes.
Nalea J. Ko, the Star-Bulletin intern, graduated from the University of Hawai‘i in spring 2008 with a journalism major and women's studies minor. Born in Hawai‘i, Nalea moved to Los Angeles to finish high school. Two years ago, she transferred to the University of Hawai‘i. At UH, she was a reporter for the student newspaper, Ka Leo O Hawai‘i, and balanced several jobs and volunteer commitments. She received several scholarships at UH, including the Roy Leffingwell scholarship in 2007. She now hopes to return to Los Angeles to continue her journalism career. Nalea has always had a natural affinity for writing. As child, she wrote and delivered her own testimony at the state Capitol.
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2008 UNITY Travel Grants
AAJA Hawai'i has selected five members who will receive grants totaling $2,000 to subsidize their travel to the UNITY Convention in Chicago this summer. The recipients include Laurie Au, Stanley Lee, Kim Fassler and Mounu Mataele.
Recipients were selected by a committee based on their financial need and most importantly, their reason for attending the UNITY Convention.
Every year, the chapter offers grants to the AAJA National Convention. This year, however, there will be no National Convention because it is a UNITY Convention year.
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2008 J Camp Participants
Kimberly Lee (Punahou School) and Isabelle Worley (Island School) have been selected to participate in AAJA's J Camp, a multicultural journalism program for talented high school students. This year's J Camp will be held from July 18 to July 23 at Loyola University in Chicago, a week before the UNITY Convention.
This six-day training camp brings together a multicultural group of high school students from across the nation to sharpen their journalism skills and work together in a unique learning environment. The curriculum consists of interactive workshops, hands-on training, and field trips. Faculty and speakers for J Camp include journalists from print, television, radio and other mediums.
J Camp is held every summer, with all expenses covered for participants.
For scholarship information, contact Laurie Au or Stanley Lee.