I have been a staunch supporter of Maui Preparatory Academy from the beginning. I am honored to be a part of the veteran West Maui realtor community that banded together to form the Alliance to Improve Maui (AIM) in 2002, an organization that recognized that a college preparatory school was imperative for the community. We worked closely with the founding board to identify and secure land for the eventual school. I cannot believe what the ten of us were able to do. We owe a great debt to Tom Rosenquist for fighting for the land on which the school now stands. I have watched the school evolve through all the growth spurts and sputters to the institution today.

After I lost my mother at a very young age, my father used his resources to send me to a parochial school. He had dreams of being a draftsman, but worked as a mechanic to support our family. He was the first in his family to graduate from high school. My father passed on a few years later, and my aunts took me in. I had to leave the private school I loved so much as I could not afford the tuition anymore. However, I had already realized the value of knowledge. Without education, you have no foundation on which to build your life. I would

not have been anywhere without those formative years. I fought so hard for Maui Prep throughout the years because I understand how important it is to have a school that cares for and watches over the children. Maui Prep has done so much to prepare students for their futures, whether it be continuing to college off the island or contributing here in the community. Maui Prep prepares students for whatever path they

want to take.

I have been honored to support the students every year, whether it be through contributing to athletic or arts needs. My legacy is to support tuition assistance so that all west Maui students can have access to quality education. The better the education, the better chance you have in life.