Waha Nui – 5/20/15

Trinity Christian School students apparently possess the tongue and the wit for the national spotlight. Rachel Leong took the state title for Humorous Interpretation at the Hawaii Speech League Championships last month, and the TCS team of Hannah Goda and Joshua Hu took first in Varsity Policy Debate. The Kailua school was the only Windward team invited to the National Speech & Debate Association tournament in June in Texas. (Kahuku High’s Alexandra Walsh placed fourth in the state in humorous interpretation.) The City Council gave them certificates and a sendoff May 6 … On Seattle Pacific University’s winter quarter dean’s list were Kailua’s Natalie Anuhea Frissell and Kaneohe’s Caleb John Ho‘omaluIge … Hau‘ula’s Nicole Brown claimed her MA in education degree May 9 at Chadron State College in Nebraska … Kaneohe’sRochelle LeeGregson was elected to the Hawaii State FCU board of directors during a recent online vote that also raised $10,000 for Make-A-Wish Hawaii.

Each member’s vote put $5 into the pot for the nonprofit. The credit union, which has a branch at Kaneohe Bay Shopping Center, figures it also saved about $50,000 in printing and mailing costs. Rochelle, meanwhile, is retired from heading the Board of Realtors … Kapunahala Elementary fourth-grader Joshua Tsugawa placed first for Oahu in the 2015 FCE-sponsored Character Counts Essay and Artwork contest, then took second at the state level — total prize was $125 cash. His essay, “Uhh … School Again,” followed a young boy’s journey from lazy to responsible, from bad grades to good ones. And in the end (spoiler alert!) he got an A and “was very happy now that he was responsible by doing his chores, homework, being prepared, taking care of yourself and doing well in school!” … Laie’s Ariana Bean and Kailua’s Daniel Yoshiki have won the Frank Der Yuen Aviation Scholarship at Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor. It’s awarded to outstanding students pursuing aviation studies. Ariana, a Kahuku grad, attends Windward CC and is aiming for a degree in aeronautical engineering. Daniel is majoring in professional flight at University of Nebraska at Kearney … Noel Nedli has expanded his Room Service in Paradise business to include Kaneohe customers, who might like to order meals straight to their door from their favorite restaurant by phone app (941-3463) ❑ ❑ ❑ cchang@midweek.com