Two Hawaiian Mission Academy students recently learned that God blesses people who are committed to Him.

Joycelyn Ampon is a 4.0 student and senior class president. She recently applied for the Rotary Club International scholarship and passed her first interview. When the committee invited her to return for a second interview on a Saturday, Ampon felt her hopes dashed. “I started crying because I wanted a chance at the scholarship, but at the same time, I couldn’t go against my conscience and interview on Sabbath,” she said.

Ampon approached HMA Principal Josué Rosado with the problem. Rosado talked to Rotary club member Alice Tucker, a Jew, who then turned to the committee. “By the grace of God,” said Ampon, “the committee agreed that it was not fair if a student were not eligible for the scholarship because of religious convictions.” The committee decided to come to HMA on Friday, March 24, to interview Ampon.

“Each summer, I work to help pay off my tuition so that I can attend Hawaiian Mission Academy,” Ampon told the committee. If she were to receive the scholarship, she would use it to reach her goal of becoming a doctor and "not let the Rotary down."

After the interview, the committee was so impressed that they increased the scholarship to $3,500 instead of the initial $1,500. Ampon's faithfulness to God resulted in a more-than-double blessing.

Colleen Uechi

Freshman Colleen Uechi placed first in Hawaii’s annual Voice of Democracy scriptwriting contest. When Post Commander Nick Young informed her that the awards were to be presented before sundown on Saturday, Uechi told him she would not be able to attend.

Young reminded her that winners must be present to receive the award. Otherwise, it goes to the second place person. The Uechi family prayed earnestly for a solution to the problem.

A few days later, Young called to say that something had come up, and the program had to be changed to a Thursday. Uechi received the $1,600 scholarship and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., where she met with winners from other states. This summer, she has another all-expense paid trip to Philadelphia, where she will take part in a peace conference.

“HMA is proud of its young people who are willing to forego immediate gratification,” said Rosado, “and stand for what’s right.”