In May 2015, Kauaʻi Community College student Thomas Iannucci graduated with a bachelor of arts in history. He is the first student who participated in Kauai Community College’s Waiʻaleʻale Project to achieve this goal.
Iannucci says he was an underachiever in high school and had no plans to attend college, especially because he was unable to afford it. His school counselor, Joyce Ballesteros, saw his potential and encouraged him to apply to the Waiʻaleʻale Project.
“I failed a few classes in high school and was a very inconsistent student,” Iannucci shared. “The Waiʻaleʻale Project was a great source of motivation for me. In college, I consistently made the dean’s list and finished my last year with a 4.0 grade point average. I’d never dreamt that was possible!”
Helping non-college-bound students succeed
Established in 2010, the Waiʻaleʻale Project finances non-college-bound students to attend, and successfully complete, their first year of college. Statistics have shown that, in comparison with those who have never been to college, people who have attended one year of college make 35 percent more money, are 28 percent less likely to be unemployed and live seven years longer.
Related UH News video: Students in college thanks
to Waiʻaleʻale, October 29, 2012
“The results of having these individuals attend college will directly impact our economy, community and the overall quality of life for the students and their families,” said Rebecca Yund, Waiʻaleʻale Project Coordinator.
Iannucci credits the Waiʻaleʻale Project for making a huge positive impact on his life. “For one thing, it gave me the opportunity to go to college and get my degree—something I’d never have been able to do on my own,” he said. “I made some family history last month because I am the first person in my family to graduate college with a four-year degree. That was a very special moment for my family and me.”
Iannucci is currently the day manager at his father’s pizzeria, Pietro’s Pizza, in Harbor Mall. “Being a part of this business venture has been very exciting, and I’ve been able to use many of the skills I learned in college and through the Waiʻaleʻale program in my new job,” he stated.
Iannucci is also pursuing his passion for music as a rapper under the name Illtalian. He recently released his first EP on iTunes and is working on his next album.
Growing Impact
This fall, the Waiʻaleʻale Project welcomed its sixth cohort to Kauaʻi CC and has served more than 450 students from ages 18-66. Many of these students attend college while working and raising families. To date, 100 Waiʻaleʻale Project students have earned 210 certificates and associate degrees. Eight students are currently pursuing their bachelor’s degree.
“On behalf of all the Waiʻaleʻale Project students, I would like to extend a big mahalo to all of the individuals and organizations who have contributed to the program to make these scholarships available,” said Yund. “Without the Waiʻaleʻale Project, these students would not have attended college. We hope to be able to provide this opportunity to an increasing number of students in years to come, and we welcome additional donations from anyone who would like to support this worthy program.”
—A Kauaʻi Community College story, photo and video courtesy of the UH Foundation
—By Camilla Matsumoto
