PHS alumni receives GEAR UP scholarship for University of Hawaii

Marleen Ngirametuker, GEAR UP Project Coordinator handed the award letter for the scholarship to Bertha Timothy and Amanda Soaladaob-Aldrin during a short ceremony yesterday at the GEAR UP office.Timothy and Soaladaob-Aldrin were both selected a recipient of the GEAR UP Palau Scholarship for school year 2008-2009.The two students will receive each $1,000 for each year, for a total of $4,000 for the entire four-year course education.The money will be given in two installments, fall and spring semester.The check that the students will get in September 2008 is a partial payment of their financial award for 2008-2009.The remaining money that the students will get in Spring will be sent to them as soon as the GEAR UP office receives the 2008 Fall Semester/Quarter grades and the Class Registration/ schedule for 2009 Spring Semester.Timothy and Soaladaob-Aldrin are both leaving this week in time for the start of class in August 25.Timothy will be a Law freshman student at the University of Hawaii in Manoa while Soaladaob-Aldrin will be taking up Computer Science and Office Administration at the University of Hawaii in Hilo.Minister of Education Mario Katosang was present during the awarding of scholarship and gave advises to the students.Timothy and Soaladaob-Aldrin both thanked Ngirametuker and Lakolani Olngellel for their support and assistance.The students were in tears while recalling their good times with their GEAR UP mentors and co-scholars.Timothy’s mother Court Marshal Renay Olikong and Soaladaob’s parents Estella Ngeluk and Aldrin Siksei, Justina and Salvino Soaladaob were also present during the awarding ceremony.The students said they are happy and excited at the same time to meet new students. They said they are going to accomplish their goal—that is to finish their studies and come back here to practice what they have learned from college.The parents said they are all happy for their children and advised them to be focus and strong in meeting the new challenges.Timothy, 18, graduated from PHS in May of this year while Soaladaob-Aldrin, 1 9, graduated in June of 2007.