Nicholas K. G.Tevaga and Ramie L. Fernandez have a lot to celebrate. This year, they were selected as two of the five Goldman Sachs/Matsuo Takabuki Commemorative Scholarship recipients receiving a combined total of $22,000 in scholarship awards. Established by Goldman Sachs, a leading global investment banking firm, and retired Kamehameha Schools Trustee Matsuo Takabuki, this scholarship provides assistance for students pursuing graduate degrees in business or financial services related fields.

The scholarship will help Nicholas as he begins his second year at North Central College and studies for his Masters of Business Administration in Finance. Prior to moving to Chicago to get hands on experience in investment banking and equity investments, he attended Kahuku High School. “I understand and have a balance of being a Native Hawaiian (knowing where I came from) and living in a world that is constantly changing. I know that it is to my advantage of being a Native Hawaiian and having a unique outlook in the investment banking field, especially where I am currently working.”

Ramie is finishing her first year in the MBA program at Santa Clara University in Northern California. As a proud Kamehameha Schools graduate (’93) and full-time student, she is also actively involved with a non-profit organization that provides low-income families with tax and financial services. “I've been working with this group for over 8 years and I hope to offer similar programs to the Hawaiian community. I am so thankful that Goldman Sachs, Myron Takabuki, Kamehameha Schools, and Ke Ali’i Pauahi Foundation recognizes the importance of graduate education and continues to support my academic endeavors. I look forward to returning home to Hawai’i and hope to provide similar programs to aid in the advancement of the Hawaiian community.”

Other graduate students receiving support from the this scholarship and their respective institiutions include Kukui Awana - University of Hawaii at Manoa, Sarah Blane - University of Hawaii at Manoa and Staton Mineshima - Hawaii Pacific University.