West Students, Teachers Spend Summer Traveling China

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Six West Oahu students - along with 14 others from around the state - were recently awarded scholarships to participate in the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council’s 2008 Summer Study Tour to China and Taiwan in an effort to introduce Hawaii’s youth to modern China.

“We really want them to not just get an understanding of historical China or the ‘cultural China’ - you know, the sight-seeing things,” said Natasha Chappel, PAAC high school program director.“We want them to get an understanding of China today and the history of what makes China what it is today.”

The group will be escorted by teachers and members of the council and is set to leave June 15 after a week of orientation on China’s history, culture and language. The group will visit Beijing, the Olympic complex, Guiyang, Shanghai and more.

About 60 students submitted applications, transcripts, teacher recommendations and two essays to be selected for the program. Out of the 20 chosen, recipients from the West side are: Marcie Kagawa of Aiea, Malakhi Reynolds of Radford, Amber-Tiana Demarco and Martinea Trippett of Waianae, and Jennifer Quach and Leigh Ann Tangaro from Campbell High.

With so many applying for the spots, Chappel said the decision was a tough one to make.

“Almost all the students had been active in the (PAAC high school) program, and even those that weren’t were outstanding,” she said. “We could have easily given the scholarship to any of the 60 and still had a good group, so it was really difficult to choose.”

Teachers also were selected to join the group as chaperones - and as students of the program, too. Moanalua High School teacher Melissa Goo is one of the lucky ones going on the tour.

“I am honored to be considered,” said Goo, who noted her background in Asian studies in college. “Obviously we are all excited about seeing places that we read about and hear about in the news.”

Goo added that her first job will be to ensure the students’safety and make sure they are learning:“I am most excited about watching the students grow in their understanding of other people, cultures and economies.”

Also on board will be a teacher from Waianae accompanying the school’s two students to film and produce a documentary about the trip.

Airfare, hotels, transportation, meals and all else needed will be supplied and funded by the Freeman Foundation, which has been sponsoring such programs for several years.

“They give money to teachers and students to understand Asia,” said Chappel. “They have a particular interest in China, but they do fund and travel to different countries in Asia.”

PAAC is a nonprofit organization that promotes understanding of Asia-Pacific. For more information, visit www.paachawaii.org or call 944-7780.