First Wind, an independent U.S.-based wind energy company, today announced that Jing Hua, a recent graduate of Lahainaluna High School in Maui, will receive the company’s first renewable scholarship of $5,000 for up to four years. Ms. Hua was recognized by First Wind officials in conjunction with the company’s groundbreaking ceremony today celebrating the start of construction of its 30 MW Kahuku Wind project in Oahu.
“We are very pleased to recognize Jing as the first recipient of our four-year scholarship,” said Paul Gaynor, CEO of First Wind. “Our scholarship program represents our support for young people who show an interest in and the capacity to contribute in the fields of environment, energy and science. Hawaii is home to some of our most innovative wind projects, so it is appropriate that we recognize one of the state’s future innovators today.”
In addition to granting one four-year scholarship of $5,000 annually to a top student nationwide, First Wind Scholars offers one-time $3,000 scholarships to support local high school students who display strong potential for a successful college experience, as well as interest in the environment, energy, or the sciences. Ms. Hua is the recipient of the company’s first four-year scholarship awarded through the company’s First Wind Scholars program. First Wind plans to announce the recipients of the one-time scholarships later this month.
As the recipient of First Wind’s four-year scholarship, Ms. Hua stood out from a number of very qualified students, all of whom went through a rigorous application process. The Valedictorian for the Class of 2010 for Lahainaluna High School in Maui, Ms. Hua has been a leader both inside the classroom as well as outside where she has been active in the National Honor Society, Pacific Asian Affairs Council and the school’s Robotics Club. Ms. Hua is enrolled at the University of California-Davis where she will study Chemical Engineering.
Lahaina is located near First Wind’s 30 MW Kaheawa Wind Power project on Maui. Kaheawa Wind serves nearly 9 percent of Maui’s annual electricity needs with clean, renewable energy. Upon its completion, First Wind’s 30 MW Kahuku Wind project on Oahu will have the capacity to generate enough clean, renewable energy to power up to 7,700 Oahu homes each year.
To get more information on First Wind Scholars, visit www.firstwind.com/scholarships.
About First Wind
First Wind is an independent wind energy company exclusively focused on the development, financing, construction, ownership and operation of utility-scale wind projects in the United States. Based in Boston, First Wind has wind projects in the Northeast, the West and in Hawaii, with the capacity to generate up to 504 megawatts of power. For more information on First Wind, please visit www.firstwind.com or follow us on Twitter @FirstWind.
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For more information, contact:
John Lamontagne
First Wind
Director, Communications
617-960-9521
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