Nationally Distinguished Knights

The national nonprofit College for Every Student recently recognized 33 schools — from as far apart as Castle High School in Kaneohe and

St. Joseph’s Secondary School in Dublin, Ireland — as “Schools of Distinction” for their efforts to raise aspirations and college readiness.

Castle High students were cited for building a schoolwide “culture of college” through several promotions by its CFES club. Adviser Koren

Uyemura said the local effort has grown over the years with the help of key staff. The students sponsored T-shirt days where the teachers wore shirts from their alma maters. The club also staged alumni day for sharing college experiences, a college door decorating contest, a college fair with 18 schools represented, and financial aid workshops.

The award earns them a School of Distinction banner.

“This year’s award winners have developed some of the best activities we’ve seen in the last five years,” stated Steve Boyce, who heads the national awards program. The other local winner is Dole Middle School in Kalihi.

Castle High’s CFES club recently met to elect new officers to continue improving on its winning record through weekly planning meetings.

They are: presidents Lauren Takasato and Skye Hinazumi, vice president Vanessa Chinen, co-secretaries Celeste Moore and Julianne Matsumoto, co-treasurers Sierra Borges and Jessenia Stidger, and co-historians Kyla Alamida and Sydney O’Neal.