Special designations within the 151-member scholarship class connect promising students with legacies of service
August 14, 2026
Colonia, Yap – Six students in Habele’s 2026–27 tuition scholarship class have been named memorial scholars, connecting the work of young Micronesians today with the legacies of individuals whose lives demonstrated exceptional commitment to the islands.
Earlier this year, Habele awarded 151 K–12 tuition scholarships totaling $80,844.75. The students come from all four states of the Federated States of Micronesia and attend 13 independent elementary and high schools on Yap, Chuuk and Pohnpei.
The six memorial scholarships are not additional awards. They are special designations given to selected students within the larger scholarship class. Each honors an American or Micronesian whose life and work embodied the best of service to the islands and the longstanding U.S.–Micronesian partnership.
“Remembering a life of service should inspire more service,” said Neil Mellen, Habele’s founder and executive director. “Each memorial scholarship helps a student with a real tuition bill today while carrying forward an example of courage, integrity or sustained personal commitment.”
The 2026–27 memorial scholars are:
Su-young Augustine — Jim Stovall Memorial Scholarship
James “Jim” Stovall III devoted more than five decades to Micronesia as a trusted legal adviser and advocate. His work supported the development of the FSM, its relationship with the United States and its standing in the international community.
Su-young Augustine, whose family is from Sengehs in Madolnihmw, Pohnpei, enters grade 10 at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School. She completed her freshman year with a cumulative 3.28 GPA and consistently submitted the reports, letters and photographs required of Habele scholars.
Mason Moon Foruw — Hon. Martin Yinug Memorial Scholarship
Born in Guror Village in Gilman Municipality, the Honorable Martin G. Yinug devoted four decades to public service. As Chief Justice of the FSM Supreme Court, he embodied integrity, educational achievement and dedication to constitutional government and the rule of law.
Mason Moon Foruw is from Neff in Kanifay Municipality in southern Yap. A returning Habele scholar, he enters grade 9 as a member of the Yap Catholic High School Class of 2030.
Kisa Janika Chipen — Lee Huddleston Memorial Scholarship
Lee Huddleston served as a Peace Corps Volunteer on Moch in the Mortlock Islands and later worked with the Chuuk Department of Education. He lost his life attempting to rescue children in the waters off Moch.
Kisa Janika Chipen, whose family is from Losap Atoll in the Mortlock Islands of Chuuk State, enters grade 12 at Xavier High School. She is beginning her third year as a Habele scholar.
Neichen Xyanne Tewermai — Dr. Marshall Wees Memorial Scholarship
Dr. Marshall Paul Wees was a U.S. Navy physician who served the people of Ulithi during the Second World War. Working with limited supplies and local assistance, he led the effort to eliminate yaws, a debilitating disease then affecting the atoll’s population.
Neichen Xyanne Tewermai is from Ulithi Atoll and attends Saint Mary’s Catholic School on Yap. She enters grade 8 in her fourth year as a Habele scholar.
Jeron Mattson Ruben — Ichiro Robert Memorial Scholarship
Ichiro Robert was a respected Fefan educator, traditional leader and longtime principal of Sapore Elementary School. He championed education on Fefan and supported generations of students, teachers and Peace Corps Volunteers.
Jeron Mattson Ruben is from Fefan Island and attends Chuuk Seventh-day Adventist School. He enters grade 5 in his third year as a Habele scholar and has consistently reported his academic progress.
Rejoice Malea Ileragiir — Leona Peterson Memorial Scholarship
Leona Peterson served Micronesian communities as a nurse, social worker and leader of the Trust Territory’s programs for older islanders. Her career reflected sustained, person-to-person service across the islands.
Rejoice Malea Ileragiir, whose family has roots in Lamotrek and Ifalik Atolls, enters grade 11 at Yap Catholic High School. She is a fifth-year Habele scholar with a strong record of consistently reporting her progress.
Habele scholarships are paid directly to participating schools and cover only part of tuition. Families remain responsible for a portion of the cost, while students submit report cards, letters and photographs documenting their progress. Returning scholars must apply again and demonstrate continued effort and responsible reporting.
The scholarships are funded by individual donors, including former Peace Corps Volunteers and other Americans with longstanding personal ties to Micronesia. Their contributions provide direct, people-to-people support for students and families.
Established in 2006 by former Peace Corps Volunteers, Habele is a U.S. nonprofit serving students, schools and community institutions across Micronesia. In addition to tuition scholarships, Habele provides books to young children and school libraries, supports traditional carving and weaving instruction, and assists locally led educational and cultural projects.
More information is available at https://habele.org.
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