Kyle Monette: A Teen Who Wants Others To Be Happy

Del.icio.us

Mililani High School scholar-athlete Kyle Monette receives a $3,000 HMSA scholarship from UH Warriors basketball coach Bob Nash (left) and HMSA president and CEO Bob Hiam. Photo from Chuck Marshall.

Recent Mililani High School graduate Kyle Monette received a cascade of honors and awards recently for his work helping to support juvenile diabetes research - and encouraging hundreds of other students to do the same.

In the past three years, Monette’s program, Kids Helping Kids with Diabetes, has raised $43,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation by encouraging middle and high school students to participate in the foundation’s annual walkathon at Kapiolani Park.

“I noticed that none of the schools participated,” recalled Monette.“And that’s when I decided that I would contact the schools and coordinate a series of school teams.“He also started Shoes in the Chute, a related fundraiser at Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park, where vendors donated prizes like a Turtle Bay Resort stay, gasoline certificates and chocolates from Hilo Hattie.

The 18-year-old was among 27 winners of Nestle’s 2007 Very Best in Youth honor, which recognizes achievement in academics and community service. The award included an all-expense paid, five-day trip to Los Angeles in July for an awards ceremony and $1,000 for the charity of his choice.

“That’s going to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation,“said Monette, whose work also earned him the rank of Eagle Scout as a member of Boy Scout Troop 164.

Other accolades Monette has received are a $3,000 distinguished athlete scholarship from HMSA, a 2007 Citizenship Award from the Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association, and a $1,000 scholarship from the Takitani Foundation. He also won a 2007 Lewis Hine Award for unsung heroes, and he enjoyed being nominated for the Volvo for Life Award for hometown heroes.

Monette said he believes “you just have to help in any way you can and always try to promote happy living for other people.” He said his parents,Michael and Anne,are supportive of what he does “even though they have no idea where the inspiration or drive to do it comes from.”

Monette plans to attend Hawaii Pacific University. He was a high school tennis and band member and volunteers at St. John Apostle & Evangelist Church in Mililani.