Grove Farm Foundation Awards $66,000 in Scholarships to Students

The Grove Farm Foundation has awarded a total of $66,000 in scholarships for the year 2025 to nine graduating high school students in Kauai. This marks the 16th consecutive year the foundation has recognized exemplary students through its scholarship program. Each of the three selected Grove Farm Scholars will receive $20,000 to support their post-secondary education.

The honored scholars, Michaela Alcaraz and Lauryn Hashimoto from Kauai High School, along with Margarita Lomongo from Waimea High School, were celebrated during a special dinner at the Puakea Grill on Wednesday. The foundation expressed pride in selecting the scholars from a competitive pool of candidates, stating, “Our three 2025 Grove Farm Scholars were selected from nine of the most accomplished seniors on Kauai.”

Profiles of the Scholars

Each of the three scholars has demonstrated exceptional talent and commitment to their education. Michaela Alcaraz is recognized as a gifted linguist, fluent in conversational German and Tagalog in addition to English. She is described in olelo Hawaii as “O ka mea ola,” highlighting her ongoing accomplishments. Throughout her high school years, Alcaraz volunteered extensively with the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii at the Lihue Clubhouse and participated in various service organizations, including the Key Club and National Honor Society. Alcaraz plans to attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa this fall, aspiring to study medicine and become a primary care physician.

“My enthusiasm alone cannot make my dreams a reality,” Alcaraz noted. “The Grove Farm Scholarship will allow me to overcome the only obstacle standing in my way of achieving my goals — a giant price tag that neither I nor my family could ever pay alone.”

Margarita Lomongo, who moved to Kauai from Chuuk, Micronesia, in 2018, has also faced significant challenges. Despite these, she excelled academically while actively contributing to her community. Lomongo took Early College courses and earned a Certificate of Competency in Hawaiian botany before graduating from Waimea High School. She co-founded the revival of the Waimea High School Key Club and volunteered through her church and school clubs.

“My mind was determined to do well in school to make my family proud,” Lomongo remarked. She intends to pursue a degree in dietetics, with plans to enroll at either the University of Hawaii at Manoa or Grand Canyon University in Arizona. Her interest in nutrition was sparked through an internship with a local nonprofit that partnered with her high school to promote healthy eating through an aquaponics program.

Lauryn Hashimoto stands out as a well-rounded student, holding numerous accolades for her scientific research projects. She served as class president for the past three years and is a dedicated scholar-athlete, captaining her paddling team while competing in cross country and track and field. Hashimoto has secured a place at her “dream school,” the University of California at Berkeley, where she plans to study molecular biology with the goal of entering scientific research.

“I value hard work, perseverance, and using mistakes as learning opportunities,” Hashimoto stated. “Science is a field where I can apply these aptitudes to address issues I care about, such as climate change and environmental protection.”

Recognition for All Finalists

In addition to the three scholars, the six finalists who did not receive the top awards will each be presented with $1,000 towards their college education. The selection committee faced a challenging task in choosing the winners from nine outstanding candidates. Comments from the judges highlighted the caliber of the students, emphasizing their potential as future leaders.

“What these high school students all have achieved in their high school years and their dreams for the future give us hope for a thriving Kauai,” the foundation stated in a press release. The scholarships reflect the foundation’s commitment to supporting education and fostering the next generation of community leaders on the island.