Kahuku debate team in final 4
The Kahuku High & Intermediate School debate team is one of four teams from across the nation competing in the New York University National Public Policy Forum National debate finals.
By advancing to the finals, the Kahuku debaters are eligible for a $10,000 grand prize. The competition takes place April 26 on the New York University campus.
The competition began in October when students from more than 100 high schools representing 26 states submitted case studies on the topic, "Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its AIDS/HIV public health assistance to sub-Saharan Africa."
Sixteen schools advanced to a single-elimination written debate tournament. In each round, competitors volleyed written debates back and forth via e-mail. A panel of judges reviewed the papers in the order they were presented and voted for the winning school. This process continued over a six-month period until the final four teams were announced this week.
The NPPF was founded by the Bickel & Brewer Foundation in 2001. For more information on the competition, visit www.bickelbrewer.com.
NATIONAL HONOR FOR HPU STUDENT
Hawai'i Pacific University graduate student Brandi Boatner has been elected as the 2008-2009 national president for the Public Relations Student Society of America.
Boatner is the first national president of the organization from a university in Hawai'i, according to HPU. She is also the society's first African-American female president.
THREE COLLEGE FAIRS HAPPEN IN APRIL
The National Association for College Admission Counseling and the Hawai'i Association for College Admission Counseling will host three college fairs this month.
The fairs are free and open to the public and will be held on the following days:
ECONOMICS PUPILS COMPETE
More than 150 students from public and private high schools across the state will participate in the 2008 Island Insurance Companies Economics Challenge, a competition designed to showcase outstanding high school economics students and economics courses in Hawai'i.
The competition will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the Japanese Cultural Center.
'Iolani High School has won the national title in the Economics Challenge national competition in New York City for the past three years.
MID-PAC TEACHER TO ASIA'S GEORGIA
Mid-Pacific Institute language arts teacher Maile Chow was recently awarded a grant to visit the west Asian nation of Georgia.
The grant was awarded through the State Department and the Eurasia/South Asia Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program. During her April visit, Chow will learn more about that country and share best teaching practices with teachers there.
Because English books and other classroom supplies are limited in Georgia, Chow's students at Mid-Pac have started a supply drive to collect books, monetary donations and other items.
