Prep classes increase KHS’ students’ college chances

Kagman High School’s college preparatory classes increased the chances of several of their students in getting college education. KHS’ Million Dollar Scholar program was launched late last year to help 21 of their top students get into college.

The program was a brainchild of KHS’ teaching staff led by principal Leila Staffler with Gerard van Gils as head mentor. van Gils had been busy promoting and seeking assistance from businesses and other non-government organizations to help the program.

van Gils said the program helped the students with their college and scholarship applications, and SAT preparations.

Six were accepted in the Gates Millennium Scholars, five are finalists in the Asia-Pacific Islander Scholarship while others earned other scholarships—full or reduced—from the university they are going to in the mainland.

“This success is explained by the dramatic increase in college preparation assistance that has been offered to our students including scholarship application help, college application help, and SAT preparation,” said van Gils.

“Our school, under the direction of our principal [Staffler], had done more than ever to help our students to be college and career ready. At KHS we make scholars and we’re proud of our students and especially congratulate the graduates of class 2016.”

Casey Babauta and Karen Laoyan (Utah State University); Elizabeth Basa, Victor Castro, and Nimei George (Eastern Oregon University); and Josepha Cabrera (Hollins University) are the six Gates scholars. Cabrera also received $92,000 from the Hollins Recognition award.

van Gils said their students also received numerous other scholarships with the total amount awarded exceeding $2.5 million.

Alex Litulumar and Mikeala San Nicolas earned in-state scholarships at Utah State University with Lilly Jean Bautista duplicating the feat at Dixie State University while Peter Santos and Kiara Peters will be receiving the $44,000 Presidential Scholarship at Washington State.

Coreen Ramon (Utah State); Asako Camacho (The Art Institute of Seattle); Sarah Kapileo (Eastern Oregon University); and Viron Tenorio, Vanessa Abraham, Richelle Castro, Allison Arellano, Jerry Borja, and Fatimah Blake at Dixie State earned WICHE Tuition Reduction awards.

Jessa Camacho will be going to Central Washington University on a full tuition and board for four years valued at $140,000. Foysal Sojib and Jesus Pua, on the other hand, chose to study at Northern Marianas College.