When Wai‘ale‘ale Liʻi Sarsona graduates from high school in June, she also will have earned an associate degree in Hawaiian studies and liberal arts from Windward Community College.

The Samuel M. Kamakau Hawaiian-Focused Charter School senior is enrolled in WCC’s Early College High School program, which is made possible in part by a $2.1 million partnership between Kamehameha Schools and the Castle Foundation.

The collaboration is celebrated as part of Early College High School Week. Last fall, more than 700 students from seven high schools in Windward O‘ahu enrolled in a collective 42 college courses as part of the dual-credit program.

Sarsona has become a proponent for the program, and exemplifies what can happen when communities come together to improve educational systems for Native Hawaiians.

“In the world we live in today, you need a college degree,” said Sarsona. “I set out on this goal with my lāhui in mind. The sooner I get my degree, the sooner I can get out and start my career to help my lāhui. I also wanted to become a role model for my community and debunk the stereotypes that often plague us.

“There are many paths you can take to help the lāhui, this is just the path I chose. If you are interested in exploring early college, my advice to you is you can do it! There are so many people at the college who want to help you succeed!”

Sarsona plans to attend the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in the fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in political science.

“I hope to work at a Hawaiian-serving organization and work my way up to an executive position. Maybe one day I will even run for office!”

The Early College High School program gives priority to first-generation college attendees and low-income high school students. It offers college-level courses taught by WCC faculty at Castle, Kailua, Kalāheo, Kahuku and Olomana High Schools, as well as Hakipuʻu and Ke Kula ‘o Samuel M. Kamakau Hawaiian-Focused Charter Schools.

In addition to enabling students to earn college credits, the program provides them with a greater chance of success when transitioning to college, and lowers the financial burden of higher education because there is no cost to the student for credits earned in high school.

There’s still time to apply for the Early College Scholarship program for the 2019-2020 school year! The application window closes on April 30. Find out if you’re eligible and apply today on the KS Programs and Scholarships web page. For more information about WCC’s Early College High School program, contact the college’s vice chancellor for academic affairs at (808) 235-7443.

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