By Staff Reports
(Oahu)– Waipahu High will welcome its Class of 2020 in a big way on Monday, August 1, 2016. The Freshmen First Day Orientation will be assisted by UH Mānoa GEAR UP Waipahu, a federally funded program designed to help students in Waipahu High’s Class of 2020 get to college.
Emcees of the program at Waipahu High will include 102.7 Da Bomb radio DJ Kristlyez and actor/drama educator Jonah “Mox” Moananu. Keynote address will be given by Kristine Uyeno, KHON news anchor and Waipahu High alumna.
Goals of the event are to welcome incoming freshmen to Waipahu High, encourage them to take advantage of the myriad opportunities while in high school and to make good, positive life choices. In addition, the event will help spread the message that early college awareness and preparation can result in access to and success in higher education.
In a show of unity and commitment, the event will involve school administrators from other Waipahu complex schools, including Waipahu Intermediate, and Waikele, August Ahrens, Honowai, Waipahu and Kaleiopu`u elementaries.
The UH Mānoa Office of Student Equity, Excellence and Diversity (SEED) administers the GEAR UP Waipahu partnership grant. Since 1999, SEED has received three consecutive, multiyear, GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) grants from the U.S. Department of Education and has assisted more than 2,000 students prepare for and enter college.
For more information, visit: http://www.hawaii.edu/diversity/