Pearl City High School seniors from the International Business and Design Academy (IBAD) at Leeward Community College were given the 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 typical high school CTE courses, these students engaged in advanced business coursework and took on practical experience through their involvement in the operation of the HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union Student-Operated Credit Union. They were responsible for handling deposits and opening accounts for both staff and students at Pearl City High School.
One student, Jordyn Shibata, spoke about how impactful the program has been on her growth, stating that it has pushed her outside of her comfort zone, giving her newfound confidence and skills to take on challenges in the future. Daphne Okunaga, the lead teacher for IBAD, emphasized that while Early College credits were important, the program’s ultimate goal was 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’ commitment to their education and highlighted