WAIMEA, Hawaii – Waimea Middle School had the chance to hear the inspiring story of Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi last week.

The mayor was invited to speak as part of the school’s Connecting for Success program. The purpose of the program is to help struggling middle school students improve their attendance and academic performance.

58 Waimea Middle students from 6th, 7th and 8th grade are participating. The program is made possible by a three-year grant from the Hawai‘i Community Foundation and 15 funders. Waimea is one of 10 public middle schools and their five community partners to benefit from the grants. Over the program’s three years, Connecting for Success is expected to reach 1,500 students in targeted cohorts with direct services and benefit 10,000 students in participating schools.