Charisse Manley (Molokai), Cheyenne Pico (Hana), Lauren Claypoole (Island School), Erin Carvalho (Kamehameha-Hawaii) and Penina Lima (Kapolei) were selected as this year's recipients of the Kaimana Awards Distinguished Scholarships. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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University of Hawaii head football coach Norm Chow was the keynote speaker for the Kaimana Awards and Scholarship Program luncheon. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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The twenty-two recipients of the 2012 HMSA Kaimana Awards and Scholarship Program pose for a group picture. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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The HMSA Kaimana Awards and Scholarship Program honored 22 students and recognized 30 schools at its annual awards luncheon Saturday at the Hawaii Prince Hotel in Waikiki.

University of Hawaii head football coach Norm Chow delivered the keynote address to the 200 or so guests in attendance. The six-person selection committee reviewed more than 450 applications from high school seniors across the state and further recognized five of the 22 student-athletes with a Distinguished Scholarship.

Applicants must maintain at least a 2.75 GPA, be a member of at least one high school sports team and graduate at the conclusion of his or her senior year. Other factors taken into consideration are individual athletic and academic achievement, scholarship and community involvement, with special focus given to those competing in lower-profile sports. Each honoree received a $3,000 scholarship and the five distinguished scholars an additional $2,000 each.

Charisse Manley (Molokai), Cheyenne Pico (Hana), Lauren Claypoole (Island School), Erin Carvalho (Kamehameha-Hawaii) and Penina Lima (Kapolei) were selected as this year's recipients of the Kaimana Awards Distinguished Scholarships.



Manley, who competed in wrestling, track and field, cross country and volleyball for the Farmers, graduated with a cumulative GPA of 4.12. She serves in numerous volunteer organizations, including two separate trips to Haiti to assist in the humanitarian efforts there following the devastating earthquake that claimed thousands of lives.

"I'm just so excited that the Kaimana Award was awarded to me," Manley said. "It's amazing, because I couldn't afford college on my own, so I'm just so thankful that (HMSA) is helping me financially."



Pico recently graduated with a 3.9 GPA from Hana High, where she was a member of the volleyball and canoe paddling teams. She has logged nearly 1,200 volunteer hours in the past four years, serving as a youth leader with the Hana Church Parish. When the church needed a new roof, Pico answered the call, helping to raise $32,000 through various events.

"(This award) really means a lot to me," said Pico, who credited her mom - a single parent - for raising her. "Every bit of money helps a lot."



Claypoole competed in basketball, volleyball, tennis and cross country at Island School on Kauai. She was captain of three of those squads and graduated with a cumulative GPA of 4.0. Like Pico, Claypoole has been very active at her local church: Lihue Lutheran Church. She has spent more than 300 hours volunteering at Lihue Lutheran, while also tutoring elementary students in reading and math several days a week.

"To feel this recognition, it's definitely a blessing," Claypoole said. "I'm feeling really excited, I'm feeling really honored."



Carvalho, who graduated from Kamehameha-Hawaii with a GPA of 3.976, competed in track and field, swimming and cross country for the Warriors. She is a member of the National Honor Society and volunteers with Easter Seals Hawaii and hopes to one day become a teacher.

"It was just a really nice award to get, because it recognized the different aspects that I've achieved in," Carvalho said. "It wasn't just an athletic scholarship, it wasn't just an academic scholarship, but it recognized everything - which I feel is important because a lot of scholarships just focus on one and to be recognized for something that includes everything means a lot more to me."



Lima competed in soccer and cross country at Kapolei, where she earned a 3.86 GPA. Lima is a member of both the Kamehameha Scholars Program, helping to plant taro patches across the island of Oahu and Halau Hula Mai Ka Pu'uwai a ka Ma'anao, dancing hula at local charity events. She was on the Principal's List and Honor Roll throughout her four years of high school and hopes to become a lawyer.

"It's a blessing for me to have this award, I didn't expect to get this award," Lima said. "I feel very honored and I definitely want to give back to my community and further my education."

The school awards recognized the top three in each division. Waiakea (Division I) and Hualalai Academy (Division II) won the Big Island Interscholastic Federation awards. Mid-Pacific (Division I) and Hawaii Baptist (Division II) took top honors in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu. Island School was first amongst the Kauai Interscholastic Federation schools. Baldwin (Division I) and Maui Preparatory (Division II) won the Maui Interscholastic League awards. Moanalua (Red), Kaiser (Blue) and Kalani (White) claimed top spots for the Oahu Interscholastic Association.

It was the seventh consecutive year that HMSA has teamed with the Hawaii High School Athletic Association for the Kaimana Awards.