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CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM
The McKinley High School Foundation exceeded its goal to raise $1 million to fund scholarships for McKinley students. Foundation President Carl Takamura, left, presented the check during the school’s homecoming celebration Friday.
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At a festive homecoming rally Friday, the McKinley High School Foundation announced that it had exceeded its $1 million fundraising goal for college scholarships for McKinley graduates.
"Today marks a momentous milestone in our foundation and school’s history because this is the largest amount our endowment has ever had at one time, and it’s all going to help us perpetuate scholarships for current and future Tigers," said Carl Takamura, foundation president.
He presented a symbolic, oversize check to Dayonara Gaoteote, student body president, and Principal Ron Okamura. McKinley celebrates its 150th anniversary next year.
The campaign, launched 15 months ago, got a major boost last summer with a $125,000 donation from McKinley alumnus Charlie Higa, co-founder of Zippy’s restaurants.
The foundation distributes more than 50 scholarships to graduating seniors at McKinley every year. It has awarded more than $1 million to more than 800 graduates since it began in 1990.
Huy Vo, a 2001 alumnus who received a college scholarship from the foundation and now serves on its board, called the successful drive "a huge deal."
"It really is a rewarding experience because the foundation made my dream come true, and in return I’m helping to do the same for these students," Vo said.