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Pueo Awards recognized students’ academic and leadership excellence

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Image courtesy of UHWO Staff

The University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu Pueo Awards recognized the academic and leadership excellence of the university community and featured a celebration video announcing the honorees.

The awards included the recognition of outstanding student achievement by academic divisions, as well as the recognition of student leaders for their efforts and excellence beyond their academic courses and into student organizations and the campus experience.

The Pueo Awards are coordinated by the Campus Center Board from the Office of Student Life. A celebration video of the awards was posted on May 21 via the Office of Student Life Facebook account.

Among the award recipients was Sydney Millerd, winner of the Student Service and Leadership Distinction for Spring 2021. Millerd served as the 8th Senate President of the ASUHWO, served on the executive board of the UH West Oʻahu Chapter of the National Society of Leadership Success as the publicity chair, and was also involved beyond the university serving as the Next Gen Hawaiʻi Public Health Ambassador and a National Academy Foundation Policy Ambassador.

Her evaluator wrote, “Ms. Millerd is one of UH West Oʻahu brightest student leaders. Ms. Millerd is a phenomenal, exceptional student leader who finds herself in love with service and making a difference in the lives of others. She has a contagious, warm-hearted spirit who is willing to assist wherever help is needed. Yet, she is focused and determined. While serving and giving of herself, Ms. Millerd has demonstrated strength, tenacity, and resilience in the face of adversity.”

Also honored was Nyle Jordan Ocariza, who received the Emerging Leadership Award for Spring 2021. Ocariza is Accounting Club president and member of the National Society of leadership and Success. He is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Association of Government Accountants, and the Institute of Management Accountants.

Ocariza’s evaluator wrote, “Nyle has been a wonderful club president. He motivates others to work hard and plays a vital role in organizing our club events. Nyle leads the club in the president role. He overseas all activities within the club. He attends all club events and actively participates in the meetings, even though he isn’t required to attend or participate. He loves helping others and is always reaching for high quality social engagement.”

Event logo.

The following is a list of the awards and recipients:

Academic Awards

Fall 2020 Honorees

Humanities Division Awards
Humanities Award, Pueo Award – Loverra Di Giustino
Humanities Award, Honorable Mention – Keola Turro

Public Administration Awards
Outstanding Student in Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management – Stephen-Bryan Campbell
Outstanding Student in Justice Administration – Christina Allen
Outstanding Student in General Public Administration – Kelly Ruidas
Outstanding Students in Health Care Administration – Mutiatai Tulifua and Elena Paishon
Outstanding Student in Community Health – Willa Woodard Ervin

Spring 2021 Honorees

Social Sciences Division Awards
Outstanding Student in Psychology – Michael Webster

Mathematics, Natural and Health Sciences Division Awards
Outstanding Student – Moanalani Jones
Outstanding Student – Diana Le
Outstanding Student – Erin Graeze Ortiguero
Outstanding Student – Shawnea Pagat
Outstanding Student – Malia Yadao

Public Administration Awards
Outstanding Student in Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management – Reiko Lovan and Lois Andersson
Outstanding Student in Justice Administration – Kaylee Torres
Outstanding Student in General Public Administration – John Schell
Outstanding Students in Health Care Administration – Shirley Lau
Outstanding Student in Community Health – Ardena Thompson

Humanities Division Awards
Outstanding Student in Humanities – Sean Spinks
Outstanding Student in Humanities – Nicolle Rentas-Rodriguez
Honorable – Brandie Kasaoka


Student Leadership Awards

ASUHWO Awards – Fall 2020 Honorees

Distinguished Service Medal
Nicole Williams

Volunteerism Medal
Cassandra Hardin
Gabriel Navalta
Jenna Marie Marcos

Appreciation Medal
Katie Landgraf

ASUHWO Awards – Spring 2021 Honorees

Distinguished Service Medal
Caton Liang
Brient Hutchinson
Kulanui Perez

Volunteerism Medal
Jesse Mikasobe-Kealiinohomoku

Appreciation Medal
Kelly Fujino
Frank Green
Rouel Velasco

Student Employee of the Semester Awards – Fall 2020 Honorees

1st place: Lizchel Ugalde
2nd place: Oriana Danby
3rd place: Ernie Salas

PUEO Leadership Service Awards (2020-2021)

Program Team
Darryl Johnson
Whitney Murphy
Lizchel Ugalde

Mentor Leaders
Aiga Ale
Logan Hansen
Cassandra Hardin
Anoʻikapuʻuwai Iokia
Winnie Juan
Lusia Mauga
Joshua Racachot
Rhia Sales

Recognition Graduating Student Leaders

Fall 2020
Ramon Araujo, Jr.
Moana Clemons
Oriana Danby
Walter Denson
Loverra Di Giustino
Jenna Marie Marcos
Paige Pagaduan
Kureha Pambid
Philippe Roque
Ernie Salas
Kimberly Tsuha
Jessica Watarai

Spring 2021
Jalen Choy
Darryl Johnson
Samuel Jones
Sydney Millerd
Whitney Murphy
Kayly Romero
Nissi Myles Taylan
Ardena Thompson
Kaylee Torres
Lizchel Ugalde
Nicole Williams

Emerging Leadership Award – Spring 2021
Nyle Jordan Ocariza

Student Service and Leadership Distinction – Spring 2021
Sydney Millerd

Image courtesy of UHWO Staff