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Sara McKay-Hines &
Reyn Halford '08

Reyn Halford '08 earned the first place award at the Executive Women's International Scholarship Program (EWISP ) dinner at the Sheraton Waikiki. He will advance to the national competition this summer. “It was a very exciting evening and Reyn did a wonderful job representing Mid-Pacific,” said Sara McKay-Hines, MPI college counselor/scholarship coordinator.

The awards dinner honored the six Hawaii EWISP finalists. Finalists were from MPI, St. Louis, Punahou, McKinley, Kamehameha, Aiea and Kaiser high schools. Selection of the winners is based on academic achievement, leadership, extra-curricular activities, and commitment to service. All six finalists ranked first in their class, and each is an incredibly well rounded and accomplished individual.

The dinner honors the accomplishments of the nominees and the program strives to encourage leadership and community service in young people. It is also excellent preparation for the students in compiling a portfolio, and going through an interview process -- important skills they will need as they enter their senior year. This preparation and practice is one reason why EWISP chose to focus on students in their junior year.

“It is a great honor for Reyn, and marvelous for MPI to have a student win this state wide competition,” Hines said.

Every school in the state, public or private, can nominate one junior. A committee selected Reyn as the unanimous choice to represent MPI this year. The application process is quite comprehensive, with the student compiling a lengthy portfolio. The portfolios are reviewed for all the entrants, and then they choose the top 10 to interview. From those ten, the top six are invited to the awards dinner. Each finalist wins a scholarship starting with $1,000 (3), then one $2,000, one $3,000, and the top winner receives $5,000 and moves on to the nationals.

Carolyn Pearce '07 finished second in the state last year in this competition.

“It is always gratifying to see someone this talented (theater, dance, vocalist, pianist), accomplished (first in his class, full complement of honors, AP/IB courses, class president), intelligent, athletic (Member of MPI state champion canoe paddling team, gymnast), and service minded (very active in his church), be recognized and yet be so genuinely humble,” Hines said. “He is a truly an amazing person.”

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