Pearl City High School seniors from the International Business and Design Academy (IBAD) at Leeward Community College have been provided with a unique opportunity to enroll in college-level business classes in pursuit of a management certificate. A total of fifteen students were part of this cohort, aiming to earn a Career and Technical Education (CTE) honors certificate along with a Certificate of Achievement in Management upon graduation this spring.
Instead of the usual high school CTE courses, these students engaged in advanced business coursework and were involved in the operation of the HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union Student-Operated Credit Union. Through this, they were responsible for handling deposits and opening accounts for both staff and students at Pearl City High School.
One student, Jordyn Shibata, expressed how impactful the program has been, stating that it has pushed her outside of her comfort zone, providing her with newfound confidence and skills to take on challenges in the future. Daphne Okunaga, the lead teacher for IBAD, emphasized that the goal was not only Early College credits but also a strategic approach to achieving CTE honors and a management certificate, preparing students for pursuing business majors at UH Mānoa or UH West O’ahu.
Syreeta Washington, the Early College counselor at Leeward CC, commended the students for their commitment to education and highlighted the success of the program, which was made possible due to strong collaborations and support from organizations like Hawai’i P–20 and the Stupski Foundation. The students’ dedication to their education, coupled with the program’s structure