University of Hawai'i University Relations Media & Publications Honolulu, HI 96822	(808) 956-8856 Telephone (808) 956-3441 Facsimile ur@hawaii.edu E-Mail
MEDIA ADVISORY :	July 23, 1997
Contact: Cheryl Ernst, (808) 956-5941

Event Honors Decade of High School Scientists and UH Mentors Over the past decade, 260 academically talented high school sophomores and juniors from Hawai'i and American territories in the Pacific have spent their summers living, studying and conducting research at the University of Hawai'i. Alumni of the program will join the 1997 scholars in a graduation convocation on Thursday, July 24 (dinner at 6 p.m., program at 7 p.m.) East-West Center Imin Conference Center The six-week NSF Young Scholars Program has been sponsored by the UH Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources under a grant from the National Science Foundation. The grant covered living expenses and travel for students, who lived in UH dorms, attended courses, participated in field trips and conducted research under the guidance of faculty mentors. They learned about opportunities in agricultural sciences, debated ethical issues, improved their communication skills and made formal presentations about their research projects. Topics ranged from food science to genetics to environmental stresses. As intended, the program encouraged many participants to pursue science studies and careers. Alumni include five UH Regents' Scholars, a Kaimuki High School teacher and: Ryan Iwasaka&emdash;a Westinghouse Talent Search Finalist and Rhodes Scholar, currently pursuing graduate studies at Yale University. Dianella Howarth&emdash;whose doctoral research at Harvard is a continuation of organismal and environmental biology research conducted in the Young Scholars Program. Troy Yoshino&emdash;International Science and Engineering Fair awardee and Truman Scholarship recipient. Sterling Scholars&emdash;Michelle Tang, James Miyashiro and Adam Matthews. Meseret and Nesanet Mitiku&emdash;Hawai'i Young Women of the Year honorees and Stanford University scholarship recipient. Jason Ng&emdash;Ellison Onizuka Memorial Scholarship winner and Harvard University student. Many alumni are expected to attend Thursday's program, which not only celebrates the graduation of this summer's graduates but marks the culmination of the program. NSF has decided not to renew the program next year. UH was one of the few institutions in the nation to win continuous funding of the program during its 10-year history. NOTE TO MEDIA: Color prints are available, call 956-5941. Participants/alumni/mentors can be gathered for day-time interviews in lab settings. Contact Gloria Wong, 956-6997.