Sacred Hearts Academy junior Michelle Galvez's essay on health and wellness in the Asian-American Pacific Islander community was chosen as the youth grand prize winner of the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organization's 20th Anniversary National Essay Contest.

She was awarded a trip to Washington, D.C., including roundtrip tickets and lodging for two; $1,000 cash; and two seats as a guest of honor at the organization's 20th anniversary gala.

During her stay in Washington, she was able to meet the nationwide executive directors of the organization and share her ideas about the Asian health community.

Galvez also was awarded a plaque of recognition. She delivered her essay to the organization's entire staff and audience of more than 160 people.

REFORM GROUP AWARDED GRANT

The Harold K.L. Castle Foundation's board of directors has approved a $1.179 million award to the Hawaii P-20 Initiative, according to a news release from the University of Hawai'i.

The three-year grant is intended to help the public education reform organization meet its goals, which include ensuring that 55 percent of working-age adults in Hawai'i have a college degree by 2025, and that every child is reading at grade level by the third grade.

P-20 is a partnership of the Department of Education, UH, elected officials, early childhood education, independent schools (K-12 and higher education), and business and community organizations. The goal is to establish a seamless educational pathway for Hawai'i's students, from preschool to college graduation.

TEACHER CHOSEN FOR SEA PROGRAM

A Hawai'i teacher will join 22 educators from across the United States aboard an oceanographic research vessel starting next week.

Patricia Kassis, a physics and math teacher at Parker School in Waimea on the Big Island, was chosen to join a group of scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution on the Kilo Moana, a University of Hawai'i research vessel for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's 2008 Teacher at Sea Program.

The 23 teachers will help the scientists maintain and gather data from a moored surface buoy in the North Pacific Ocean.

The research is part of a collaborative project between UH and Woods Hole, the world's largest private, nonprofit ocean research, engineering and education organization.

Students can track Kassis' journey on her blog at kassisatsea.blogspot.com.

YOUNG SCIENTISTS VIE FOR STATE TITLE

Discovery Education is accepting entries for its Young Scientist Challenge, a national science competition for fifth- to eighth-grade students.

Students must submit a video entry online by June 15. The video entry must demonstrate the student's understanding of concepts and his or her comfort level discussing science in general.

One student from each state will be chosen as a semifinalist. In late fall, 10 finalists will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the final competition.

The "Top Young Scientist" will be awarded a $50,000 savings bond, and other finalists will receive prizes.

For more information about the competition or to enter, visit www.discoveryeducation.com/youngscientist.