Kanoe Haneberg
Following in Her Family’s Educator Footsteps
Providing scholarships to graduating high school students who show great promise is HEA’s way of helping to create a steady pipeline of educators for Hawaii. Kanoe Haneberg, who is this year’s recipient of a $2,000 high school student scholarship, is proud that she comes from a family of teachers, starting with her grandparents who are HEA members, in photo at right.
“I have been around the teaching world the majority of my life,” said Kanoe, who graduated from Kapaa High School this past May, while concurrently working on an associate degree in liberal arts from Kauai Community College. She also served as a student helper at Kapaa Elementary School since she was sophomore.
In addition to excelling in academics and maintaining a 4.0 GPA in high school, she successfully juggled a rigorous athletic schedule. She was a top athlete in her school and in the state. Kanoe was active in multiple sports, playing volleyball, soccer and track. Kanoe led the Kapaa High School’s volleyball and track and field programs to success in both league and state championship tournaments.
Her desire to pursue education as a career can be attributed to the positive role models in her family as well as the inspiration from dedicated teachers, starting at a young age.
“I was very lucky to grow up with the most amazing teachers, specifically my elementary teachers. I had an incredible first-grade teacher who fostered my love for reading. I did this super cool Loko l’a project in the fifth grade, and we were kickball champions,” Kanoe reflected.
“My experience at Kapaa Elementary School was unmatched. Because of the numerous fond memories at this school, I knew I wanted to give other kids that same feeling,” she said. “I want to create a fun but safe learning environment for my future students. I hope to give my students a similar, if not the same, experience that I had throughout my years at Kapaa Elementary School.
Kanoe is planning to pursue an education degree at Westminster University, a private, non-profit, accredited liberal arts university in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“My ultimate goal is to move back home and teach at Kapaa Elementary School. I hope to contribute to the educational growth of the youth in my community and foster a love of learning,” Kanoe wrote.
Congratulations to Kanoe and mahalo to all of the donors who enable HEA to continue supporting scholarship programs for students like Kanoe to make a difference for Hawaii schools!
