Scholarships and Prizes

The SEAR Scholarship is presented annually to two deserving students from the Southeast Asian region, initially being granted to students of Burmese origin entering Grade 11 at KIS. These students are recognized for their exceptional personal character, outstanding academic achievements, and unwavering determination to overcome challenges. The scholarship seeks individuals who not only strive for personal success but also demonstrate a profound commitment to making a positive impact on their communities.

This scholarship has been initiated by KIS Alumna Ms. Maureen Aung-Thwin (’66) in loving memory of her mother, Margaret Aung-Thwin, a dedicated educator and former KIS faculty member. It embodies the spirit of perseverance, academic excellence, and commitment to community values that Mrs. Aung-Thwin exemplified throughout her life.  Margaret Aung-Thwin’s legacy as an educator and translator is deeply ingrained in the SEAR Scholarship. Her multifaceted career spanned various countries and cultures, reflecting a life dedicated to education and cultural exchange. She was the first of fourteen children born to John F. Hodgson and Naw Thet Po, and she pursued her education with a BA and B.Ed from Judson College in Rangoon and an M.A. from SUNY Cortland. A Fulbright Exchange Scholar, she taught in various international settings, including schools in Rangoon, Kodaikanal, and Cornell University, and led adult education programs for the Miccosukee Native American community in Florida. Her significant contribution to Burmese literature, particularly through her translation of Ma Ma Lay’s “Not Out of Hate,” highlights her dedication to bridging cultural divides through education.

This scholarship is not merely a financial grant; it is an invitation to join a community that values educational excellence, cultural understanding, and a commitment to improving the world. It is a tribute to the enduring impact of a remarkable educator and a testament to the power of education to change lives.

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The name Keith DeJong is synonymous with music. While in Kodai as a student, Keith excelled in the music program at Kodai School and graduated with his class in 1949. Kodai School provided a strong foundation for his professional career and welcomed his return in 1957, along with his wife Marcine and their first of four children. Keith taught music lessons to many students over the years. He directed the Band, Choir, and many ensembles. Keith’s beautiful tenor voice could stand alone in a solo, or blended with others, rewarding all within listening distance, and Marcine was known by all Sunday School kids as a pianist with gusto. Keith and Marcine were role models to the community, and their love of music continues through the legacy they left for Kodai School, making the following possible:

• Two outstanding KIS grade 12 music students are awarded the DeJong Music Award of $750 (each) annually at Awards Assembly. They are selected by the KIS Music Department.
• The DeJong Music Scholarship fund has been established at KIS for music students of any grade level who need financial assistance for music field trips sponsored by KIS and/or for an additional instrument lesson if not included in the basic school fees. This $1,500 scholarship is awarded annually to the school’s music department.

Not only does the DeJong family legacy live on through music, but Keith and Marcine gifted Kodai School with many more DeJongs! All four children and many grandchildren are KIS graduates: Garry ’74, Bruce ’77, Dorothy ’78, Jim ’80, Terah ’01, Hans ’04, Ketsa ’06, Leif ’09 and Andry ’11. Garry and Bruce also served on the staff at KIS at various times. Independently, each one has shared their musical talents and gifts with the school. The Keith DeJong Music Award and Scholarship fund is temporarily restricted (donations must be used for this fund only) with oversight provided by Kodai Friends International.

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