[Taken from the Honolulu Advertiser's 2006 Citizenship Awards newspaper insert.]
Congratulations to Mary Rose Parase Lansangan of Aiea High School and Marnelli Joy Basilio of Pearl City High School.
Mary Rose, according to the Advertiser, ranks first in her class of 251 students. She wil also be the first in her family to attend college.
"Mary Rose stands out in so many ways. She is an outstanding leader, an enthusiastic scholar, and a compassionate volunteer. As student government president, she sees that she can make a difference and has initiated her own unique projects to foster united and communication among students. She is a mix of assertiveness and humility, optimist and realist. She will, I have no doubt make a significant contributution to the community."
-Luana Fukutomi, College Counselor
Mary Rose will continue her studies at the University of California at Berkeley as a Biology major.
Marnelli Joy Basilio, according to the Advertiser, maintained a 3.7 GPA, performed over 1,200 hours of community service for the Pearl City Community Youth Organization United to Help (PCC YOUTH) and PRIDE Productions in the past six years, and currently serves as Youth Board President and holds and ex-officio seat on the PCC YOUTH Board of Directors.
In her own words, Marnelli writes in her personal statement:
"To persevere in the face of adversity, to demonstrate self-respect and the respect for others, to live life with intergrity, to integrate discipline in everything you do and to encourage others to make positive choices. These are the character traits I have learned to live by. These things are part of me now and have helped me become the person I am today."
Marnelli will continue her education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, majoring in Business Administration.