The Fujimoto Four includes a four-peat of sorts.
Hawaii Prep senior Jordan Perry is among the recipients of the 19th annual Roy Fujimoto/KTA scholarship, following in the footsteps of her brother Justin (2016) and sisters Julia (2018) and Jenna (2020).
Like her siblings, Perry played soccer and will be inducted with Kohala’s O’shen Cazimero, Konawaena’s Kayla Pak and Waiakea’s NgiraKederang Ueda.
The scholarship program is named after former BIIF executive director Roy Fujimoto and is sponsored by KTA Super Stores and the league.
The recipients, who each receive a $1,500 stipend, are chosen based on their athletic and academic achievement, as well as community service.
• Perry had a 4.32 grade-point average and will attend Santa Clara, where she will major in biological sciences.
She played four years of not only soccer, but also cross-country and track.
“I have always made it a priority to fully engage in all aspects of that community so that I could really make an impact on those around me,” said Perry, who was a teacher’s aide for second grade at Waimea Elementary. “In trying to figure out what exactly I wanted for that impact to be, I decided that I wanted to be someone that inspired the people around me to be the best versions of themselves.”
“In sports, I utilized my leadership opportunities to be someone that my teammates could look up to and rely on as a source of encouragement and support. I am proud of the impact I was able to make on the place that I call home.”
Perry calls HPA’s runner-up finish to Hawaii Baptist at the state cross-country meet in Waimea her significant moment. She finished 40th in a race her coach, Kimo Higgins, noted for Perry’s resilience. After her freshman year, faster runners arrived on the squad but Perry stuck with the team.
“Jordan demonstrated a litany of positive qualities, including perseverance, resilience, team loyalty and plain old grit,” he said. “Jordan Perry will be long remembered as the finest team captain our squad has ever known.”
• Cazimero, who had a 3.8 GPA, is undecided on college but wants to major in kinesiology and pursue physical therapy or become an athletic trainer.
One of the most accomplished athletes in his school’s history, the Cowboys guard was a three-time BIIF player of the year in Division II basketball and led Kohala to the school’s first state championship in 2020 and a league title his senior season.
“At a young age, I fell in love with the game of basketball,” he said. “My future goal is to play in the NBA. There will be many steps for me to take to achieve this goal, but I believe it’s possible. Once I had my mind set on playing in the NBA, I started working every day to become a better player.”
“My leadership and knowledge of the game is well-recognized,” he said, “which I believe can get me to the next level.”
• Pak, who had a 4.14 GPA, plans to attend Pacific University, where she will major in kinesiology.
The Wildcat guard was on two BIIF championship teams for basketball as a sophomore and senior. Konawaena finished runner-up to Iolani both years for the state championship.
For some, the scholarship is the fulfillment of a lifetime of hard work.
“Winning this scholarship means a lot to me, and I am very thankful and blessed to have been selected as an awardee,” said Pak, who was involved in several clubs at Konawaena. “The opportunity to represent Konawaena is amazing, and I’m grateful for all the opportunities that basketball has opened up for me. It is great to see that all of my years of hard work in academics and basketball are paying off.”
• Ueda, who had a 4.14 GPA, plans to attend Northwestern, where he will major in biomedical engineering.
He won the BIIF title in cross-country and also competed in track – claiming the 1,500 and 3,000 meters at BIIFs – and swimming.
“I started running in the fourth-grade from a whim and twist of luck and fate,” he said. “What has come eight years since is a love etched deep in my soul and in the memories I now clutch tightly.
“This love leads me forward into the pursuit of my goals of being an engineer, a scholar and a decent, memorable person.”
Ueda was in the National Honor Society, worked at KTA and co-founded the Ping Pong club at Waiakea.
Past winners
• 2003: Erica Chong (Hilo High), Mikela Yarawamai (HPA), Bronson Ganir (Pahoa), Brad Lau (HPA).
• 2004: Susan Gleed (HPA), Matt Haasenritter (Hilo High), Kyle Teves (Kealakehe), Kelsey Harrity (Konawaena).
• 2005: Jessica Hanato (Konawaena), Johanson Quist (Hilo High), Francesca Weems (Kealakehe), Michael Kopra (HPA).
• 2006: Landon Kurata (Waiakea), Katrina Chong (Hilo High), Leon Peralto (Kamehameha) and Jackie Ganiron (Pahoa).
• 2007: Kela Fitzgerald (HPA), Kellie Kitaoka (Konawaena), Kimberly Kopra (HPA), Keoni Ucker (Christian Liberty).
• 2008: Ryan Higa (Waiakea), Cecily Kimura (HPA), Preston Vierra (Honokaa), Megan Wery (Kamehameha).
• 2009: Jake Shiraki (Honokaa), Noelani Vargas (HPA), Johnathan Viernes (Pahoa), Sam Unger (Konawaena).
• 2010: Kaitlyn Chock (Waiakea), Sage Johnson (Honokaa), Tayler Wang (HPA), Brandon Bautista (Kohala).
• 2011: Richard Handy Jr. (Keaau), Anuhea Wall (Konawaena), Tialana Greenwell (Honokaa), Morgan Rapozo (Waiakea).
• 2012: Dawnyelle Awa (Konawaena), Jaclanne Pagala (Keaau), Chayce Moniz (Honokaa) and Megan Aina (Kamehameha).
• 2013: Zoe Sims (HPA), Marley Strand-Nicolaisen (Ka’u), Talon Ota (Keaau), Ke Kula ‘O’ Ehunuikaimalino’s Kaua Ruedy (Konawaena).
• 2014: Evan Enriques (Kamehameha), Casey Poe (Kamehameha), Evyn Yamaguchi (Konawaena) and Charlie Belmes (Keaau).
• 2015: Kassie Kometani (Kohala), Zoe Leonard (Kamehameha), Kaiulani Ahuna (Kamehameha), Gabbie Ewing (HPA).
• 2016: Justin Perry (HPA), Chanelle Molina (Konawaena), Ihi Victor (Konawaena), Taiana Tolleson (Konawaena)
• 2017: Taylor Doherty (HPA), Chayna Ann Yoshida (Keaau), James Caudell (Kealakehe), Laukoa Santos (Kealakehe)
• 2018: Austin Ewing (Konawaena), Saydee Aganus (Kamehameha), Kailee Kurokawa (Hilo), Julia Berry (HPA
• 2019: Sophia Cash (Honokaa), Kierstyn Yamamoto (Keaau), Nanea Wall (Konawaena), Mary Campbell (St. Joseph)
• 2020: Tiani Bello (Kamehameha), Jenna Perry (HPA), Megan Bagusa (Konawaena), Jaymie Kunitomo (Konawaena)
• 2021: No recipients (COVID-19)
