An Army ROTC cadet at the University of Hawaii at Manoa is ranked third out of more than 5,000 graduating cadets nationwide.
The university says that each fall, cadets across the United States are ranked on a National Order of Merit list.
This year, Claire Yakabe captured the No. 3 spot.
Yakabe is scheduled to graduate in the spring with a degree in political science and a certificate in French. A graduate of Douglas County High School in Colorado, Yakabe earned a four-year Army ROTC scholarship to attend UH.
She will be commissioned as an Army aviation officer.
Other recently announced awards and honors:
» Three Hawaii residents are among 100 young people recognized by the National FosterClub for outstanding leadership skills, the state Department of Human Services announced. FosterClub awardees range in age from 16 to 24 and have spent a portion of their childhood in foster care.
Gernani Yutob Jr. spent four years in foster care, including time in group homes and other facilities. Today he is a college graduate, community role model and a facilitator at EPIC ‘Ohana Inc., where he helps other youth leaving foster care develop and implement transitional goals. Yutob also spends time at the Legislature advocating for improved foster youth services and programs.
Nanglar Noy Worachit, a program assistant for Hawaii Youth Opportunity Initiative, also received a 2013 Outstanding FosterClub Leadership Award. The mother of two, vice president of HI H.O.P.E.S. Youth Leadership Board and member of the Hawaii’s Juvenile Justice Task Force, worked with Yutob to extend Medicaid coverage to foster youth until they reach the age of 26.
Worachit was placed in foster care 15 times as a child, and spent a year on the run in an effort to be with her siblings. She earned her GED and enrolled in community college at age 16.
In 2012 the Hawaii Partners in Development Foundation recognized Worachit as an Outstanding Community Contributor; she also received a fellowship with the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative. Worachit’s goals include attending law school and becoming a guardian ad litem.
Robert Pono Heanu-Toyama, a youth outreach coordinator with the Hawaii Foster Youth Coalition, worked with Yutob in advocating extension of foster care until age 21. Heanu-Toyama spent eight years in the Hawaii foster care system. He lost both parents at an early age, and became estranged from his siblings at age 14. Prior to turning 18 he was already living on his own. Heanu-Toyama is pursuing a college degree in psychology.
