Interview Questions and Answers

What do you currently do?

Since 1992, I've managed the County of Maui's finances as the Treasurer and Finance Deputy.  I've taught workshops on Personal Financial Planning at schools, churches, and community colleges, and been on local political talk shows. 

Why did you write this book?

My kids reaped the benefits of signing a College Prep Contract eight years ago and have been awesome ever since.  They had been above average students in elementary school.  But now, my son graduated Summa Cum Laude from high school and selected as Pacific University’s Chemistry student of the Year.   I saw the amazing results from our novel concept of scholastic and leadership motivation.  This motivational breakthrough worked great for us.  Then my daughter became the Miss Outstanding Teenager of Hawaii, Big Sister of the year, Fukunaga scholarship winner as well as a Georgetown University scholarship winner.  It’s time to give back to the community.

How did you come up with the College Prep Contract?

Through an eye-opening experience in evaluating actual college scholarship applications, I've learned what it takes to win scholarships.  Also as a CPA for 31 years, I’ve developed several successful incentive compensation plans for both managers and professionals.  The “College Prep Contract" is the result of combining the two.

Does college really cost $100,000?

According to the college board (SAT authors), the 2002-2003 average costs were $12,841 for students attending public colleges and universities and $27,677 for students at private colleges and universities. Out of state students attending public colleges and universities pay an average total cost of $19,188.

Does your book, “The $100,000 Scholarship: Middle School Prep,” actually provide a $100,000 scholarship?

Yes and no.  First let’s breakdown the $100,000.  Upon college admission, we target tuition waivers and school grants which might amount to $100,000 for private colleges.  For public colleges it might be $30,000.  FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, may provide another $35,000.  During the high school senior year, we’re targeting local and national scholarships, which may amount to $10,000.  During the six years under the College Prep Contract, parental encouragement into the kid's college savings might amount to $25,000.  So we’re aiming for $170,000, but we’ll probably get $100,000.

The key to your recommendation seems to be the encouragement tool called the “College Prep Contract.”  Is it a fast and easy approach?

Not every child should go to college, so let’s assume we’re talking about one that wants a college degree.  Is it fast and easy?  Let’s first look at the parent, then the child. 

Many parents of the college bound, will realize the need to start saving early.  Some do and some wait till college to put out $10,000 a year.  If you allocate the $40,000 for a 4-year college education, into a 72-month saving plan, it amounts to $550 a month.  Our College Prep Contract encourages kids for specific achievements at about $250 a month.  And we’re saying this will provide a $100,000 scholarship.  So if parents plan to save $550 a month anyway, why not leverage it to encourage the kid’s scholastic aptitude? So it’s fast and easy for the parent.

Now the child will take small easy steps under the College Prep Contract.  Since the Contract provides an opportunity, it’s really up to the child’s choice of how fast, what activities and how far targets are met.  The contract provides $5, $10, $25, etc. recognitions for specific achievements identified under the contract in scholarship categories of scholastics, leadership, community service, and finance.  For example, if the child gets a B on the report card, the child gets $10 into the college fund.  After getting $10s five times in a row and a parental grin, most kids would catch on to the program.  B’s would begin increasing.  Similarly for A’s, and community activities, and leadership, etc., achievements will begin increasing in small easy steps.

Is college prep a growing social and national issue?

There has been a recent surge of interest by new middle school parents in preparing their kids for college.  In 1984, Larry Biddle created a Renaissance Program at Conway High School in South Carolina that recognizes, rewards, and reinforces excellence in students.  It provides mini-scholarships to those who at least try.  This program is now a driving force in over 6,000 schools across the nation.  It's a national program and it touches millions.  Middle school parents across the nation are applauding and cheering their kids with tears as recognitions are awarded during Renaissance Presentations nights.  These school-wide recognitions go as much as half of the students on Renaissance campuses.  There is also an Annual National Renaissance Conference where thousands of teachers and school officials attend.  The National Association of Middle Schools also holds national conferences where thousands from schools across the country participate. 

 Why focus on middle school?

In middle school, life begins a turning point.  In middle school, physical changes are flying.  In middle school, independent thinking like hair and music begin taking over.  In middle school, peer perceptions form.  In middle school, study habits develop.  The wrong peer group can hurt study habits.  In middle school, the right peer groups can enrich your child’s focus on scholarship goals.  Excelling early in middle school provides a head start to scholarships during the high school years.  Actually, calling middle school as transitional is an understatement.  Middle school, if you can still remember back then, is one of the wildest and most traumatic times of life.  Sixth graders are in their first year in middle school . . . and recognitions are different from elementary school.  In the sixth grade, not many students submit scholastic award applications and resumes.  Most sixth graders feel they are still too young to be concerned with college preparation and scholastic recognition.  They never had that opportunity before.  They were never asked to participate before.  Why should they do it now?  Well, since not too many students apply, your child has a greater chance to win their first academic recognition without even straining.  What if no one applied?  Your child would have missed the chance at being the “Sixth Grader of the Year.”  And that peer perception will boost self-esteem to become a self-fulfilling prophecy.