Chevron Donates $36K to Big Island Schools

Over $350,000 was generated by Chevron U.S.A. Inc.’s 2015 Fuel Your School program, with $36,625 going to schools on the Big Island.

The program provides funds to schools through donations on a per-customer basis. For every eight or more gallons purchased in a transaction, Chevron donates $1 to the Fuel Your School program automatically during the month of October.

A total of 391 classrooms projects, including 148 focused on science, technology, engineering ,and math, were funded through the program. Company officials say the funds will assist in bridging the connection between real world experiences to classroom learning for 35,539 students and 144 Hawai’i public schools.

East Hawai’i schools received $16,818, while West Hawai’i schools received $19,807 of the funds.

“In my classroom, I want to foster a sense of engagement through culturally relevant, project-based learning journeys,” said Ramsey Soto, teacher recipient who received iPad minis for classroom projects. “The project that Chevron helped fund will not only help my students understand STEM curriculum standards, but also give them the opportunity to apply what they are learning to an authentic, real world problem.”

Chevron has invested nearly $250 million into communities since 2013 through Fuel Your School. The program is designed to arm students and teachers with the critical skills and resources needed to succeed in jobs of the future.

“At Chevron, we know that students are the key to future innovation,” said Carina Tagupa, community relations specialist for Chevron Hawai’i. “Through the Fuel Your School program, we’re happy to help our future leaders excel in careers that help solve some of our biggest challenges.”

Across the country, Chevron’s Fuel Your School program generated more than $8.8 million for local classrooms in 21 communities.

Full list of Big Island recipients:

• Connections New Century Public Charter: Mrs. Thatcher, Mrs. Wines
• Hawaii Academy of Arts & Science Charter: Mrs. Wells
• Hilo Intermediate: Mr. Aki
• Hilo Union Elementary: Ms. Cheever-Follett
• Hookena Elementary: Ms. Staup, Ms. Hanato
• Innovations Public Charter: Mrs. Withrow, Ms. Dehning, Ms. Schiller, Mrs. Santos, Mr. Stroud, Mrs. Stroud
• Kau High and Pahala Elementary: Mr. Berry
• Kahakai Elementary: Mr. Chen, Ms. Cabilin
• Ke Kula O Ehunuikaimalino School: Ms. Stevens
• Keaau High: Mrs. Booth
• Kealakehe Elementary: Ms. Apele, Ms. Talasko, Ms. Curlin
• Kealakehe High: Ms. Dahlke, Mr. White, Mr. Shelor
• Kealakehe Intermediate: Mr. Williams
• Kohala Elementary: Mrs. Thomas
• Konawaena Elementary: Mr. Graves, Mrs. Yusko
• Konawaena High: Mr. Pascual, Teacher Obregon, Mr. Watson
• Konawaena Middle: Mr. Leinonen
• Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter: Ms. Tripp
• Naalehua Elementary: Ms. Whiting
• Paauilo Elementary & Intermediate: Ms. Anderson
• Prince Kalanianaole Elementary: Mrs. Romo
• Volcano School of Arts & Science Public Charter: Mr. Wells, Mrs. Warner
• Waiakea Elementary: Mr. Hokoana
• Waiakea Intermediate: Mr. Inouye, Mr. Moreau
• Waikoloa Elementary & Middle: Ms. Greenberg, Ms. Clemes
• Waimea Elementary: Ms. Carvalho
• Waters of Life Public Charter: Mrs. Carvalho, Ms. Aoki