2 named Hawaii’s 2006 Presidential Scholars
Scott M. Seki of Honolulu and Tiffany L. Yee of Kula, Maui, have been selected as Hawaii's 2006 Presidential Scholars.
Seki, who attends Punahou School, and Yee, of Kamehameha Secondary School-Maui in Pukalani, are two of 141 outstanding American high school seniors who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship and service at school and in their community.
The Presidential Scholars will be honored for their accomplishments in Washington, D.C., from June 24 to 27, according to a U.S. Department of Education announcement.
Seki will attend Stanford University this fall. He was president, vice president and secretary of his student government. He was captain of the Japanese Quiz Bowl team and a member of the Japanese Speech Competition Team, the Math Team and the Political Club.
He formed a barbershop quartet at his school and has performed for numerous service agencies and causes. Seki is also a volunteer at Shriners Hospital for Children and at a physical rehabilitation center. Seki designed and implemented a game program for patients to help stimulate them mentally and to develop motor skills.
Yee will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she plans to major in biological sciences. She holds many elected positions and is involved in numerous clubs and extracurricular activities. She is treasurer of her student government, team captain for canoe paddling and a member of the symphonic band. Yee is also an accomplished pianist.
In addition, she volunteers with children at the 4-H clubs and Special Olympics, and rehabilitates houses with Habitat for Humanity.
Since 1983 each Presidential Scholar has invited his or her most inspiring teacher to travel to Washington, D.C., to receive a Teacher Recognition Award from the U.S. Department of Education and to participate in the recognition events.
The teacher chosen for recognition by Seki was Carol Lee of Honolulu; by Yee, Kevin O'Brien of Pukalani.
The 141 Presidential Scholars include one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at large and 20 Presidential Scholars in the Arts. A 27-member Commission on Presidential Scholars appointed by President Bush selected the Scholars.