Shelcie Takenouchi completed her master’s degree in public relations from USC and is working at Hill & Knowlton in Irvine. Benjie Baclig is in his third year at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. This summer, he interned at Barclays Capital in New York. Shyanne Matsumoto is in her second year of pursuing a double major in secondary education and chemistry at Oregon State University.  All three are thriving and connected as a network of FMPR Scholars who intend to come back to Kaua`i one day to share their knowledge and leadership.

This year, since we are now a bicoastal company operating out of Hawai`i and Pennsylvania, we will award one $1,000 scholarship each to a Kaua`i student and a Pennsylvania student pursuing their bachelor’s or graduate degree.

The scholarship application is available online at www.fmpr.net. Applicants must be able to demonstrate how they fulfill specific criteria through their completed Application Form, a personal statement, and school transcripts.  Applications must be submitted by March 30 and FMPR Scholars will be announced on May 1.

We look forward to seeing what talent comes forth this year through our FMPR Scholarship application process.  It gives us great hope for our future leaders and for the larger network of FMPR Scholars we’ll continue to create over the years.

Matsumoto of Kalaheo is a graduating senior at Kaua`i High School with a 3.651 grade point average (GPA).  She has been accepted to Oregon State University where she will pursue a double major in secondary education and chemistry. Outside of school, Matsumoto has been an active volunteer and an effective leader.

“I have always had a passion for working with our island keiki, and recognize the need for quality teachers on our island, especially in upper-level math and science classes in our high schools,” says Matsumoto.  “I also have a growing interest in the science and health areas, so upon graduating with both undergraduate degrees, I will either come home to teach or go on for further schooling to pursue a career in the medical field.  The path I take to college may not always be free and clear, nor the goals I seek fast and easy, but where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

“We are so pleased to invest in this extraordinary young woman,” said Jenny Fujita, partner with FMPR.  “She will make enormous contributions to the world around her, and to Kaua`i in particular.”

“Wherever her career takes her, we know she’ll blend her intellectual talents and concern for others to play an influential role in the betterment of society,” said Koerte.  “To that end, we have asked Shyanne to send us end-of-semester updates about her progress.  We will be posting these updates on our website at www.fmpr.net and eventually, plan to have a network of FMPR Scholars that can collaborate and achieve great things for themselves and our island.”

FMPR Scholars are chosen based on several key criteria: they are Kaua`i residents and students who are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees, preferably in communications or public relations; are interested in owning or working for a small business and/or home-based business; engaged in entrepreneurial activities; intend to come home to and pursue their livelihoods on Kaua`i after undergraduate or graduate school; are engaged in community service and wish to advance the Kaua`i community after college; have proven intellectual and academic achievements; show integrity of character and an interest in helping others; have the ability to lead and the motivation to use their talents to the fullest.

Ranked as one of Hawai`i’s top PR firms, FMPR is a full service PR firm that provides the finest communications consulting services to clients in a variety of industries worldwide.  FMPR specializes in communications strategies that are effective in our unique island community, where cultural and business nuances must be carefully navigated. For more information about FMPR and for free PR tips, visit our website at www.fmpr.net., subscribe to our blog at www.YourPublicIsWaiting.com, and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/fmpr.  FMPR’s radio show is on www.FromHawaiiWithLove.com or as a podcast on iTunes.

When he walked into Poipu Bay Golf Course Clubhouse, all the workers there knew Benjie.  He has received many scholarships locally so he has been in the newspaper a lot, and he was accepted to The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.  In fact, he is the only Hawai’i student going to Penn from a public school.

Benjie comes from humble beginnings.  He lives in Kaumakani, Kauai, an old plantation camp.  His parents moved their family to Kauai from the Philippines in 1992.  Neither of his parents speak English well, as Benjie’s mom pointed out to us.  He is from a loving family and spiritually grounded in his church.  It is obvious that Mom and Dad have been key to his success and are proud of what he has achieved.  He’s interested in international business and has a Scottrade account.

Lesson #1: Think Big
When we asked Benjie what set him apart, he said, “I think big.  I only have one life to live.  I have to make it big.”  Such a simple concept, thinking big, and yet so few of us do it.  We too often set expectations, which we label “realistic” as we have long lists of “yeah buts” that run through our heads that give reason why we are unable to achieve at the highest levels.  Benjie has none of that.  If he did, he would not be going to Wharton, which only has a 10% acceptance rate.  If he did, he would not aspire to do his graduate work at Harvard University or to eventually hold the post as the Federal Reserve Chairman.  He thinks big…really BIG.  Why not?  What’s the alternative?

Lesson #2: Knowledge is Power
It was also immediately apparent to us that Benjie loves to learn. His thirst for knowledge is great, and if there’s something he wants to know, he takes the steps to get the answer.  He told us that as a high school freshman, he set out to be the valedictorian of his class and attend an Ivy League school (and look what happened!). To assist him with achieving these goals, he read books to teach himself how to gain success and get accepted to an Ivy League university.  Benjie’s mom says that he’s always got a book in hand…even at parties.

Lesson #3: Stay Focused and Work Hard
Yes, you read that right, Benjie sometimes has a book on hand at parties.  Benjie said that he often uses the down times at family gatherings to read.  This is part of Benjie’s unwavering focus on achieving his goals.  Not only does he work hard at academics, but also in every aspect of his life.  He is an active volunteer and leader with numerous organizations, and worked at Lappert’s Ice Cream in high school, sometimes up to thirty hours per week.

Lesson #4: Go Get ‘Em!
Benjie has an attitude that is positive and full of momentum. Going back to Lesson #2, Benjie is not afraid to seek out information, no matter where he has to go to find it. Along this line and because he felt that he needed help with public speaking, Benjie joined Toastmasters International, an organization that helps people become more competent and comfortable in front of an audience. Toastmasters’ meetings usually consist of a group of 20 people that that learn and practice these skills.  We don’t know many adults who would have the courage to join Toastmasters to improve their public speaking, and were impressed by this teenager’s “Go Get ‘Em” attitude and fearless efforts to better himself.

Benjie is eager to learn and full of hope and wonder and faith.  And, he works hard and constantly.  He has big dreams and he puts in his time to make them come true.  Those are our lessons from Benjie.  Worth learning, for sure.