Taylor Fukunaga, recent graduate of Waipahu High School Early College in Hawaii, has received the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) President’s Award for Leadership Excellence, a two-year transfer scholarship of up to $30,000 each academic year.
Taylor served as PTK’s 2021-2022 International Vice President of Division IV, one of the highest leadership positions in the organization, making history as Phi Theta Kappa’s first dually enrolled student and first student overall from Hawaii to hold International Office.
“Taylor has gone above and beyond her duties of representing the larger student body of Phi Theta Kappa,” said PTK President and CEO, Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “More importantly, she has invested her time, talents, and energy in advocating for dually-enrolled students—the fastest growing student demographic in the nation. We’re so proud of her accomplishments.”
A true servant leader, Taylor worked on establishing more chapters at the high school level and strived to be a voice for dually-enrolled students. She served as the Student Body President at her school, played softball and won a division championship, did air riflery, dance, and earned her black belt in karate. In the fall, she will be majoring in Communications at the University of La Verne while playing collegiate softball.
The PTK Board of Directors nominates and selects the President’s Award for Leadership Excellence recipient. The award is presented to an outstanding member showing exemplary service, leadership, and dedication to the advancement of the mission and ideals of the Society. It is the highest honor given by the PTK Board of Directors.