By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor Flintridge Prep senior Kendall Kikkawa got the ultimate payoff for his lifetime of hard work on Friday. And his accomplishments were celebrated in front of the entire student body. Kikkawa was surprised by Footlocker, and was awarded $20,000 to help fund his college aspirations. Kendall Kikkawa was one of 20 […]
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
Flintridge Prep senior Kendall Kikkawa got the ultimate payoff for his lifetime of hard work on Friday.
And his accomplishments were celebrated in front of the entire student body.
Kikkawa was surprised by Footlocker, and was awarded $20,000 to help fund his college aspirations.
Kendall Kikkawa was one of 20 high school athletes across the nation who earned this accolade (and money).
The 18-year old is a three-sport star and is a major factor on the football, basketball and baseball teams.
He is even better in the classroom.
In his almost four years at Prep, he’s gotten all A’s except for one class during his sophomore year.
The one setback?
Yep, a B+ in European Studies two years ago was the worst grade during his time at Prep.
The best thing about Friday’s surprise for Kikkawa was that he can now put back into play a school he thought he couldn’t afford.
Pomona Pitzer, at the Claremont Colleges has already accepted him.
But the pricey education was likely out of reach, until now.
Back in the fall, Kikkawa filled out an application for this award and a few months later, the list of thousands of applicants was narrowed down to 50 semifinalists..
Kikkawa did a Skype interview with Footlocker and never heard from them again, so he thought he was passed over.
This is one of those times Kikkawa was glad he was wrong.
“I am in shock that I am on the short list of kids that were lucky enough to get this kind of assistance,” he said. “I really am able to put a couple schools back on my radar because of this help. To be recognized like this in front of my friends and teachers is something I’ll never forget.”
As happy as he is that he’s $20,000 richer, the pressure is still on.
Kikkawa has to make a decision as to where he’s going to attend college by May 1.
He feels like the final four have come to Pomona Pitzer, University of California at Berkeley, Occidental and UC Santa Barbara.
Said Kikkawa: “I want to thank my parents, Ken and Karen, as well as my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins for helping to inspire me to be the best I can be in everything I do. They have all been so supportive in my life.”
Kikkawa has always been an ‘underdog’ in athletics, because of his 5-foot-7, 155-pound frame, but as he’s done in the classroom, he has more than exceeded expectations on the football and baseball fields and on the basketball court.”
Quotable:
Flintridge Prep basketball coach and athletic director Garrett Ohara: “I was Kendall’s 7th grade math teacher, and I could tell early on that he would make his mark at Prep. He is diligent, responsible, and his character is beyond reproach. A three sport star like him comes around once in a decade.”
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