2009 FMPR SCHOLARS
Baclig and Takenouchi Announced as 2009 FMPR Scholars
LIHU`E, Hawai`i, May 6, 2009 – Fujita & Miura Public Relations has announced that Benjie Baclig and Shelcie Takenouchi are the 2009 Fujita & Miura Public Relations’ (FMPR) Scholars.
While our original plan was to award only one $1,000 scholarship annually, we were so moved by and impressed with their achievements, plans, and aspirations that we simply had to award scholarships to both of them,” said Joy Miura Koerte, partner with FMPR.
Baclig of Kauamakani is a graduating senior at Waimea High School with a 4.1 grade point average (GPA) and a 4.0 GPA from courses taken from the University of Hawai`i Community Colleges on Maui, Kaua`i, and in Honolulu. He has been accepted to The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, the top undergraduate business school in America. Outside of school, Baclig has been an active volunteer and an effective leader.
After he graduates from Wharton, Baclig plans to promote achievement in Hawaiian communities, especially to young leaders, by offering them financial aid and guidance and creating a network of skilled workers and entrepreneurs who will trigger economic growth in Hawai`i.
“This scholarship will provide me the international exposure I seek. After college, I would like return to Hawai`i and be part of a corporate structure that bridges economic and cultural divides,” said Baclig. “I want to link Hawai`i’s economy with more businesses abroad so that Hawai`i’s production capabilities will expand exponentially. The scholarship will help my family to pay for my rigorous education at Wharton, help me realize my dreams of becoming a CEO of an international company in Hawai`i, and bring back to Hawai`i an intellectual man to foster Kauai’s economic and cultural stability.
”Takenouchi of Lihu`e was the valedictorian of Kaua`i High School’s class of 2005, and will graduate from the University of Southern California’s (USC) Annenberg School for Communication with a bachelor of arts degree in public relations with a 3.3 grade point average. She is a member of the USC Women’s Varsity Golf Team, which is currently ranked third in the nation, and is a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America and USC’s Hawai`i Club. She has been accepted to attend USC to pursue a master of arts degree in strategic public relations. Takenouchi worked as an intern and associate with FMPR for four years.
“My first step to making an effective contribution to society through my line of work is to love my job,” said Takenouchi. “I also hope to use my learned skills and knowledge in public relations to help our island continue to grow economically while preserving its unique beauty and essence,” Takenouchi added. “I envision starting a public relations mentoring program on Kaua`i in which I can guide and encourage Kaua`i high school students as they pursue higher education. Whether I help them choose a college or find an internship, I hope to be the person that students can come to for words of wisdom, and so have a part in the growth and betterment of Kaua`i and the PR industry.”
“We are so pleased to invest in these two extraordinary young people,” said Jenny Fujita, partner with FMPR. “They will both make enormous contributions to the world around them, and to Kaua`i in particular.”
“Wherever their careers take them, we know they’ll blend their intellectual talents and concern for others to play an influential role in the betterment of society,” said Koerte. “To that end, we have asked Benjie and Shelcie to send us end-of-semester updates about their 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.
