St. Anthony Junior-Senior High School Student Wins APEC Essay Contest
WAILUKU – Matthew Matasci, a senior at St. Anthony Junior-Senior High School was selected as one of five winners state-wide for the APEC 2011 Hawaii Host Committee’s High School Essay Contest, “Why is sustainability important to you, and APEC?” He and his parents attended a ceremony on October 18th in the Lt. Governor’s Office at the State Captiol.
“…the contest was very competitive, receiving over 500 high-quality entries from across the state. By being selected for recognition, the five students will receive an invitation to attend the prestigious CEO Summit where world leaders will speak. In addition to attending the CEO Summit, the five winning student authors also receive an Apple iPad and will have their essays placed on the APEC Hawai’i Host Committee website.”
When asked what his thoughts were on being one of the five grand prize winners he stated, “It was an awesome feeling to be recognized for the ideas that I had regarding Hawai’i and the world’s future with sustainability, and I hope that I have the opportunity to follow through on them so that I can make a difference.”
Matasci was the only winner from Maui. The other four winners were:
Alexander Bitter, Waiakea High School, 12th grade (Hawaii Island);
Ben Chao, ‘Iolani School, 11th grade (Oahu);
Shane-Justin Nu’uhiwa, Kamehameha Schools, 11th grade (Kapalama campus – Oahu); and
Zoe Sims, Hawaii Preparatory Academy, 11th grade (Hawaii Island)
These five outstanding students will have the unprecedented opportunity to hear from President Barack Obama, President Hu Jintao of China, and other world leaders and global CEOs.
Mastaci is the son of Anne and Ray Matasci of Kihei. He has attended St. Anthony School since kindergarten, and plans to attend a university on the mainland with a major in Engineering.
