Nothing Can Stop Kahuku’s Joseph Broc
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Kahuku High’s Joseph Broc receives his
scholarship plaque from HMSA senior
vice president Cliff Cisco at the
Kaimana Awards & Scholarship
luncheon June 17 at Koolau Golf Club.
Photo from Chance Gusukuma.
A recent awards ceremony at Koolau Golf Club saw 21 students receive scholarships from the Hawaii Medical Services Association, including scholar-athlete Joseph Broc from Kahuku High School.
The 2006 graduate will be dorming at the Hawaii Loa campus of Hawaii Pacific University as he pursues a degree in marine biology. Broc has spina bifida, which limits the movement of his legs, and therefore puts him in a wheelchair.
It’s Broc’s service to the community, academics, and his paddling skills that earned him the $3,000 scholarship. He doesn’t let anything stop him from his goals, and he encourages others too.
“Just keep focused on what you want to do,” Broc advised. “Don’t get distracted by what other people are thinking about you. Be yourself. Be happy with it and just go on with your life.
“Enjoy your life.”
He paddled during his junior and senior year in high school with the Red Raiders’ varsity boys team. Ever since seventh grade, the Sunset Beach teen has been with the Manu O Ke Kai Canoe Club, which is led by Uncle Randy Sanborn. On Aug. 5 he paddled in the state race, and the team finished 11th among 15 competitiors.
His community service includes training Hawaii Fi-Do service dogs,cleaning up beaches and teaching members of the school’s Leo Club how to paddle. He also belongs to a youth group at the Hawaii Center for Independent Living.
When he’s not busy paddling, volunteering or studying, Broc likes working out and going to the beach, the movies and the mall with friends.
His younger brother, John “Boe,” is a junior at Kahuku High. Mom Cindy teaches special ed pre-school at Laie Elementary and dad Jeff is a carpenter. Both parents are very proud of their sons.
Kahuku and Kailua high schools were also among 10 honored by HMSA (receiving $1,000 each) for achieving the highest program scores in the OIA and in their league divisions.
In all, HMSA gave out $60,000 in scholarships. Jim and Kanoa Leahey emceed the June event, and boxer Brian Viloria gave the keynote address to a room full of media and representatives of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association, which coordinated the program.
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