Isle Chamber awards scholarships

The Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce has been awarding scholarships to qualified University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College students since 1984 through an endowment fund managed by the University of Hawaii Foundation. Over the years, HICC has awarded more than $100,900 to UH-Hilo and $22,000 to HCC students.

At a recent student awards ceremony at the College of Business and Economics, three UH-Hilo CoBE students were recognized. Norine Fitzgerald, who plans to graduate with a degree in business administration in 2014, received a $1,000 scholarship. She has volunteered with the American Heart Association, UH-Hilo Fee Board and has helped children at a small nonprofit school.

Deeann Michelle Ku‘ulei Cowan was awarded a $2,000 HICC scholarship. A wife, a mother of two children and a full time UH-Hilo student, Cowan will graduate from UH-Hilo in May of 2013 with a major in business with a focus in finance.

Zachary Pettus received a $2,000 scholarship award and is planning to graduate in December 2013 with a BBA in accounting and a BBA in business with a focus in finance.

His love for travel and desire to be of service to others has taken him to Tibet, where he traveled with doctors through the mountains to provide medical services in remote villages.

Two students were awarded HICC scholarships at the Hawaii Community College Student Recognition Ceremony. Juanita Thompson and Peter Angeleo each received $1,000 from the chamber for the spring 2012 semester.

Both Thompson and Angeleo attend HCC at the University of Hawaii Center at West Hawaii.

A single parent of two children, Thompson is the first in her family to be working toward a college degree. A member of Phi Theta Kappa, she is pursuing a nursing degree. Angeleo is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa and is pursuing a liberal arts degree. He is a military veteran and a father of one, and is the first person in his family to pursue a college degree.