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Event Date: July 16, 2015

Entering University of Hawaiʻi—West Oʻahu junior Coralyn Sunico wept as she explained what being the recipient of a University of Hawaiʻi Presidential Scholarship Award meant to her, as the first person in her family to attend college.

“It means a lot, because growing up with my family, there was no one who could help, so I didn’t know what to do, I was so lost,” Sunico said. “I just really wanted to continue school, because I wanted to gain that knowledge and help other people.”

Kamehameha-Hawaiʻi graduate and University of Hawaiʻi Regents Scholar Ciarra-Lynn Parinas echoed her gratitude. “This scholarship means the world to me,” said Parinas, who plans to become an English teacher. “It means my family’s security.”

Sunico and Parinas were among 30 outstanding University of Hawaiʻi students honored at the July 16 2015 Regents and Presidential Scholarship Awards Dinner. Home school graduate Rebekah Loving, who plans to study computer science at UH Hilo, was designated as the inaugural Senator Daniel K. Akaka Regents Scholar for Academic Excellence.

The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents established the Regents and Presidential Scholarships in 1986 to support students with a record of outstanding achievement at any UH campus.

Regents Scholars receive a full tuition scholarship for four years of undergraduate study. Presidential Scholars receive a full tuition scholarship for two years of undergraduate study. All scholars receive $4,000 a year and a one-time travel grant of $2,000.

For more information on the University of Hawaiʻi Regents and Presidential Scholarship Awards and a full list of awardees, please see www.hawaii.edu/raps.