2015 JCAH Scholarship Recipients
Fred Chavez Visaya, Jr.
FRED CHAVEZ VISAYA, JR. is a freshman at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo. He is a 2014 graduate and Valedictorian of Kea`au High School and achieved a cumulative GPA of 4.0. Fred is majoring in Performing Arts with a Music Concentration and minoring in Japanese Studies. In his semester at the university, he not only achieved a 4.0 GPA but was also named to the Dean’s List. As a first-generation college student, he is aware of the sacrifices his parents made to leave high school to support their families. He will be studying at Rikkyo University in Japan to pursue his dream of becoming a professional taiko artist and to study music. Fred is a member and leader of Puna Taiko.
Runa Ikeno
Keith Nerida
KEITH NERIDA is a freshman at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo. A 2014 graduate of Honokaa High School, Keith is majoring in Computer Science and Japanese Studies. After graduation, he wishes to enter into a career in computer science and use his Japanese language skills either in the United States and/or Japan. While in high school, he was actively involved in the Robotics Club, the National Honor Society, the Science Club, the Math League, and the Jazz band. He served as a class officer for two years of high school and achieved a 3.86 GPA in high school. Keith achieved a 3.85 GPA in his first semester at UH Hilo and was named to the Dean’s List.
RUNA IKENO is a freshman at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo. A 2014 graduate of Honokaa High School, Runa arrived in Hawaii in 2007 as a fifth grader who could not understand or speak English. Hard work and perseverance helped her to achieve a 3.8 GPA in high school and to receive many achievement awards, such as being named to the Principal’s List. Runa’s aspiration is to increase her knowledge of the Japanese language and literature and the English language and to develop her communication skills so she can become an expert translator. She aspires to receive her degrees in Japanese Studies and Linguistics.