Students to receive new laptop computers from Sony

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
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Posted: Apr 30, 2010

Five UH Mānoa undergraduates will receive brand-new Sony Vaio laptop computers from Sony Electronics to honor the students’ significant service to the campus and community on Thursday, May 6, at 3 p.m. in Sinclair Library’s Heritage Reading Room. The presentation is open to the media.
 
Receiving their Sony Technology Award laptops will be Jessica Ayau (Secondary Education, 2011), Luke Dumaran (Elementary Education, 2012), Rebecca Fonoimoana (Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 2011), Filipe Palma (Architecture, 2017), and Jovana Shigetani (Nursing, 2013).  Officials from Sony will present the winning students with their laptop computers.
 
Sony offered Vaios to several colleges and universities, including UH Mānoa. Criteria to apply for the laptops were maintaining a 3.5 minimum grade point average, being a member of an underrepresented group in higher education, some level of financial need, enrollment as a full-time undergraduate in a course of study leading to a degree, and contribution of significant service to the community and/or campus.
 
“We are appreciative to Sony for their generous donation, and honored to present such an important academic tool to our award winners,” said Vice Chancellor for Students Francisco J. Hernandez. “These recipients were chosen because of their academic accomplishments, and commitment to serve the community where they are pursuing their university degrees.”
 
The UH Mānoa award winners and their high schools are:
  • Jessica Ayau, Waipahu High Class of 2005. The first in her family to pursue a college education, she has served internships with the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology Community Education Program, Hawai‘i Space Grant Consortium, Kohala Watershed Partnership Waimea Nature Camp, Hanauma Bay Education Program and, most recently,  Kamehameha School Land Asset Division.
  • Luke Dumaran, Baldwin High Class of 2005. He is the youngest of five children, and will be the first in his family to earn a college degree. The judo enthusiast said he is inspired to give back to the community because of the various role models who have provided a positive influence in his life.  
  • Rebecca Fonoimoana, Kahuku High Class of 2007. She is the second of five children in her family to graduate from college, and has a particular interest in environmental conservation and youth education.  She says protecting the environment positively contributes to Hawai‘i’s well-being and future. 
  •  Filipe Palma, a transfer student from Mesa City College and Kapi‘olani CC. Originally from Brazil, he plans to pursue a career in sustainable architecture. His current service-learning project is to expand and maintain a garden on the grounds of Leahi Hospital, which is designed as a vegetable garden in which seniors and people with disabilities can work.  
  • Jovana Shigetani, Kaimuki High Class of 2008. The second child in her family to pursue a higher education, she credits the UH Mānoa College Opportunities Program for much-needed support and inspiration. She helps with student recruitment at local high schools, and mentors freshmen within the Alaka’ina Peer Mentoring Program.