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Sara Taketa

Four University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa students were recognized for their outstanding work as top employees at the campus’ 30th Annual Student Employee of the Year (SEOTY) Awards Reception on Thursday, April 16.

The top honor went to Sara Taketa, an administrative assistant for meeting and event services with the student life and development department. Taketa is a senior majoring in accounting and was nominated by Laura Shimabukuro, assistant director of meeting and event services. She was awarded a $1,000 cash scholarship.

In her nomination letter Shimabukuro said that the quality of Taketa’s work in their unit is unmatched and it shines through her ability to learn new concepts quickly and utilize critical thinking to tackle assignments. “With much trust in Sara, she took on event coordination and presented excellent consistency and versatility to make every client happy. This is a true testament to her work ethic,” said Shimbukuro.

Taketa was also selected as the SEOTY winner for the State of Hawaiʻi in the Western Association of Student Employment Administrators.

Additional UH Mānoa winners

  • Lhiberty Pagaduan, a program assistant at GEAR Up Mānoa and a senior majoring in geology, was awarded a $750 cash scholarship. Pagaduan was nominated by Erwin Legaspi, director of GEAR Up Waipahu.
  • Richard Tran, a computer specialist at the Curriculum Research and Development Group and a senior majoring in travel industry management, was awarded a $500 cash scholarship. He was nominated by Mark Yap, IT manager.
  • Matthew Lim, an office assistant and web content manager for the biology department and a graduate student in public health, was awarded a $500 cash scholarship. He was nominated by Kathleen Cole, associate professor and biology department chair.

UH Mānoa has celebrated the Student Employee of the Year since 1986, recognizing outstanding student employees throughout campus. The cash awards are from proceeds generated by the annual Craft Fair and Silent Auction, traditionally held on campus on the Friday before Thanksgiving.

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