Waipahu High School Students Honored by Maunakea Scholars
Eleven students from Waipahu High School were recognized this year by the Maunakea Scholars program for their original astronomy research proposals, earning the opportunity to access Hawaiʻi’s world-class telescopes. The annual awards ceremony celebrated their accomplishments and marked the beginning of the transition from proposal to discovery.
Doug Simons (left), Mila Rexford (center), and Mary Beth Laychak (right)
Among the students recognized, the top honor went to graduating senior Mila Rexford, who received the $10,000 Hōkūala Scholarship. The scholarship awards students who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in the program and plan to continue studying astronomy in college. Mila will attend the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo this fall to pursue astronomy.
Her project, The Mystery of the Red Square Nebula, began during her sophomore year and has evolved through ongoing collaboration with astronomers in Hawaiʻi and Great Britain. She also created 3D-printed models to help younger students and individuals with vision impairments engage more deeply with the science behind her work.
In addition to the scholarship, 10 students were awarded telescope time. With access to the W.M. Keck Observatory, Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope, NASA Infrared Telescope Facility, and Las Cumbres, they’ll explore questions about our solar system and beyond. Their proposals included:
“The Barium Star of WeBo1,” Natalie Tosta
“Exploring the Universe Within Hoag’s Object,” Joshua David Visitacion, Devon Ali-Elmore
“Resources of the Future,” Matthew Vila
“Structure and Evolution of Arp 298,” Janessa Torres
“The Blue of Life: Looking at NGC-2023,” Jorge Badua
“Exploring the Star Polaris,” Isaac Pacariem
“M78’s Stars,” Aaron Paguirigan
“Arp 87 Curiosities,” Arielle Daguio
Honorable Mention: “A Supermassive Conundrum,” Athea Brielle Orbita
As these students prepare to observe the skies and analyze their findings, they join a growing community of more than 1,000 Hawaiʻi public high school students who have participated in the Maunakea Scholars program since its launch in 2015. Of those, just over 275 have earned coveted telescope time to conduct their own scientific research.
“I am exceptionally proud of the Maunakea Scholars students and alumni,” said Mary Beth Laychak, Maunakea Scholars Coordinator, University of Hawaiʻi Institute for Astronomy. “I know of six alumni who are either working in Maunakea astronomy or continuing their education in the field. That’s in addition to many others working in education, engineering, and computer science. I can’t wait to see what these students do moving forward.”
