The 23rd Annual Roy Fujimoto Senior Scholarship winners were recently announced by the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF).
Four Big Island senior student athletes were selected based on their excellence in their respective sports and school communities. The winners were awarded $1,500 each, which has been often used to offset the costs of college tuition, books and boarding expenses.
The scholarship winners for 2025 are Wynter Radey-Morgan, Elias Malapit, Maile Imonen and Francis Dela Cruz.
Wynter Radey-Morgan
A champion on the wrestling mat, track and in the Hawaii Preparatory Academy school community, Wynter Radey-Morgan can do it all.
On top of being a four-time state qualifier in girls wrestling, a state champion in cross country and a state competitor in long-distance track, Radey-Morgan was tasked with the challenge of managing school-wide events for a class of over 100 as a student council class representative.
Through her time of balancing multiple extracurriculars, Radey-Morgan learned that easy acts of kindness go a long way for peer appreciation and school camaraderie.
One ‘giving back’ activity Radey-Morgan would often do is bake for her classmates.
“I learned that random acts of kindness can be just as important for fostering community as official leadership or volunteering,” Radey-Morgan wrote in her application. “Whether I am bringing a home-made treat to my teacher whom I know skipped breakfast in the busy-ness of her schedule, or experimenting with an allergy-friendly batch of cookies to give to the cafeteria server at my school who has dietary restrictions, baking is my means for communicating my consideration and appreciation for those around me.
“The way these simple gestures have strengthened my relationships taught me that community grows stronger when members truly care, and that internal actions are often more powerful than words.”
Sierra Huebert-Sanchez, an HPA educator who taught Radey-Morgan in AP English and coached her in cross country, was most impressed with the senior’s character above all.
“Even though she is one of the most naturally gifted students I have ever taught, Wynter is incredibly humble and always looking to learn from those around her,” Huebert-Sanchez wrote in a letter of recommendation. “She is also a person of integrity and purpose. Everything she says and does is done with deliberate care, thus demonstrating a sense of maturity well beyond her years.”
Radey-Morgan concluded high school with a 4.52 weighted GPA, and plans to attend the esteemed Yale University this fall. She plans to study ethics, politics and economics — aiming to continue growing as a leader.
Elias Lawkua Malapit
A multi-sport athlete in football and track and field, Konawaena’s Elias Malapit became a champion in both.
Winning the HHSAA Division I State Championship in 2022 as a linebacker and team captain and the 2025 state title in boys discus, Malapit wrote that he embraced the physical and mental challenges his sports posed throughout his four-year journey.
“It’s not just about the titles, but rather the hard work, dedication and teamwork that went into each season,” Malapit said in his application. “I find joy in the grind, whether it’s refining my technique on the field or lifting weights in the gym. Strength, both mental and physical, is something I value deeply.”
But working tirelessly on his sports aren’t the only activities Malapit enjoys. He cherishes fishing days with his father, noting that they are great bonding opportunities for the pair.
“There is something special about throwing net together,” Malapit explained. “Sharing stories and enjoying nature’s quiet moments. These activities shape my mindset; they teach me patience, resilience and the importance of bonding over shared interests.”
Jonathan Taetuna-Fautanu, a football coach of Malapit over the last six years, wrote in a letter of recommendation that Malapit possesses all the qualities of a winner — on and off the field.
“Elias is not only a talented athlete, but a model of discipline and hard work,” he wrote. “He approaches every practice and game with a relentless work ethic, always striving to improve his skills and contribute to the team’s success. Whether it’s putting in extra hours in the weight room or studying game film to analyze opponents, Elias consistently goes above and beyond to excel in his passion.”
Fascinated by fitness and wellness, Malapit plans to study kinesiology at Mt. San Antonio College this fall.
Maile Suzanne Imonen
As a water polo, swimming and volleyball star, sports have been a core part of Maile Imonen’s identity from the very beginning.
After all, the HPA student grew up in a sports-filled household.
“I grew up in an extremely athletic household alongside my brothers,” Imonen wrote in her application. “There was never a weekend when we weren’t traveling on or off the island for soccer games, baseball games, volleyball games, water polo games or swim meets.
“Groomed to be a competitor by my older brother, I learned the value and importance of competing and being part of a team. Being an athlete is a huge part of who I am.”
Imonen brought that competitive nature from her childhood all the way up the BIIF level, where she was a conference champ her senior season and multiple-time First Team All-BIIF selection for water polo. She was also a BIIF champion in volleyball and swimming (100-meter back, 200-meter medley relay, 400-meter free relay).
Leading the island in goals scored over the last four years with 129, Imonen will continue her water polo career at Chapman University next season. She will study sports communication.
Outside of sports, Imonen was deeply involved in service work — including volunteering as a summer swim instructor and at the Hapuna Rough Water Swim and Lavaman Triathlon. For her senior capstone project, she taught free water polo clinics to young girls — planning and marketing the entire project.
HPA educator and volleyball coach Daena Craven worked closely with Imonen, and she praised her dedication and character in everything she does.
“What makes Maile unique is not just her athletic and intellectual ability, but her character,” Craven wrote in a letter of recommendation. “She’s a student athlete who genuinely uplifts those around her. Whether on the court, in the classroom or as a leader of her senior class, Maile shows up for others.
“Hawaii Preparatory Academy will miss Maile, but I know she’s ready to make an equally positive impact wherever she goes next.”
Francis Anne Dela Cruz
Having never touched a gun prior to high school, Francis Dela Cruz of Waiakea never expected to go as far as she did in her air riflery career.
A state champion in 2023 and winning Most Outstanding Athlete for her team for two consecutive seasons, Dela Cruz was the face of Big Island air riflery for years. But her favorite memory in the sport came in 2022, her sophomore season. Dela Cruz had a memorable battle against Kamehameha-Hawaii sharpshooter Tia Tanimoto in the BIIF Air Riflery Championships. Tied for first in qualifications, Dela Cruz edged Tanimoto in the final round, winning by just 0.4 points (611.5).
“I was already very proud of myself for making it that far, so I still wasn’t expecting for me to win,” Dela Cruz wrote. “I was optimistic and hoped that my hard work paid off. Every shot I took felt like life or death, but I carried on.
“Once we finished, I was very relieved that I was done, but very nervous because I didn’t know where I stood. As they were announcing the winners, my heart was about to beat out of my chest as they announced second place. I was frozen in shock as my name was called for first.”
Dela Cruz reflected on the impact air riflery had on her throughout high school, explaining that it helped influence her life for the better.
“This sport changed my life in a way that I would have never imagined, and I am so thankful for everyone who helped me get to where I am today.”
Waiakea air riflery head coach Devon Morimoto praised Dela Cruz’s ability to pick up the sport so quickly while continuously striving to improve.
“Francis Anne has become an accomplished athlete within the air riflery program, gaining respect from her peers, opponents and all of the coaches,” Morimoto wrote in a letter of recommendation. “I would argue that her greatest achievement was realizing that she needed to enjoy the moment of participating in air riflery, as she was so fixated on doing good that she sometimes forgot how to make the best of the present.”
In addition to competing as a marksman, Dela Cruz competed in swimming and water polo, where she was a team captain for the Warriors swim squad in her senior season. Dela Cruz was a top-eight finalist in the 500-meter freestyle, 200-meter freestyle, 400-meter freestyle relay, 200 IM and 200-meter freestyle relay at the BIIF Swim and Dive Championships.
Outside of sports, Dela Cruz was a hospitality minister at St. Joseph Church and a volunteer at Hawaii Science and Technology and Nextech. She also partook in several school leadership endeavors.
With a longtime interest in science and technology, Dela Cruz will be attending Washington State University this fall to study computer engineering.
