ClimbHI and HLTA Recognize Two Hawaii Educators with New Hospitality Award

Hawaii workforce development’s nonprofit ClimbHI has partnered with the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association (HLTA) to recognize two educators, Alyssa Alcos from Waiÿanae High School (WHS) and Fern White, a West Hawaiÿi District Resource Teacher for Career & Technical Education programs with a new award.

The first-of-its-kind immersive award provides an array of learning opportunities within the hospitality industry. Each teacher also earns a $1,000 stipend to fund experiences that will provide an enhanced understanding of the industry and will receive overview briefings from HLTA, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau staff; job shadowing and on-site learning at a hotel or resort in Hawaii; and other immersive experiences that showcase various aspects of the industry. The teachers will also be paired with mentors from HLTA’s Women in Lodging & Tourism committee.

WHS’ Alyssa Alcos advises the school’s DECA Club. The club prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. For the past two years, Alyssa has served on the board of the Hawaii Association of Career & Technical Education, which promotes career readiness among the different education pathways.

ClimbHI was founded in 2009 and seeks to inspire students to finish high school and proceed to post-secondaryeducation or employment by exposing them to future career paths and the steps necessary to achieve those goals.

For more, visit climbhi.org

src: Westside Stories community newspaper on page 14