Developing leaders today who will walk with Jesus into eternity
About
Nelyssa Hargrave, Principal & K-3 Teacher
Aloha! My name is Miss Nelyssa Hargrave. I initially never saw myself as a teacher, but I believe that God has placed me in several situations that helped mold me into one. I was born and raised in Ontario, Canada and went to a public high school. I always wondered what it was like to have go to an Adventist school, so I decided to major in Biology at Burman University--the only SDA University in Canada. In the summer of 2015, I embarked on a life-redirecting mission trip where I served as a Student Missionary High School Science Teacher at a bilingual school in Honduras. Although I had little teaching experience, I saw how God worked through my unqualified self and discovered how fulfilling of a ministry teaching truly was. Upon realization of this calling to share God’s love through teaching, I made the trip back to Burman University to get my Bachelor of Education After Degree.
I spent the first three years of teaching at an SDA school in Northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia. I taught a 7-9 multi-grade class for two years and then Kindergarten. God then led me to become a K-3 teacher on the beautiful island of Kauai for the past four years! Now, I'm honored to be the new Teaching Principal at Kahili Adventist School. I look forward to serving this school and church community in every way I can, exploring all the islands, finally hiking the Kalalau Trail, and helping our students grow into well-rounded, God-loving individuals!
My favorite Bible verse is found in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 which reads, “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Mia Swenson, 4-8 Teacher
I am honored to be joining Kahili Adventist School as an upper elementary teacher and am excited to become part of both the school and church community.
I grew up in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and attended Adventist Schools, including Loma Linda Academy. I continued my education at Pacific Union College and La Sierra University, experiences that further strengthened my commitment to Christian education and my desire to serve in faith-based learning environments.
My father serves as a pastor and is currently the chaplain at Loma Linda University, and my mother is a marriage and family therapist. I come from a close-knit family with three siblings who are pursuing their careers in California and Chicago. My upbringing has deeply influenced my love for ministry, community, and supporting the spiritual growth of others.
I have been working in classrooms since 2000 and have over 20 years of experience supporting and teaching children. I am passionate about creating a safe and nurturing environment that radiates God’s love, where students feel valued and encouraged to grow academically, socially, and spiritually. I strive to integrate faith into daily learning and to support each student in developing a personal relationship with Christ, while fostering kindness, curiosity, and a love for learning.
In my free time, I enjoy singing, sewing, spending time in nature, sailing, and being on the water, as well as exploring creative activities such as crafting and art. I look forward to sharing these interests in ways that enrich student life and worship experiences. I am truly excited to join Kahili Adventist School and look forward to partnering with students, families, and the broader community to support each child’s growth, character, and faith journey.
Vergie Same, Teacher's Aide
I was born and raised in Bonbon Moises Padilla, in the central part of the Philippines. Being the middle child of eleven children, I consider myself as very independent from an early age. Through the love and commitment of spreading the word of God by the church school and church, our family joined the Adventist church in 1987. My family sacrificed and supported me so that I could get a Christian education in our own institutions in my elementary and college years. I praised God for that!
I am a licensed teacher back in the Philippines with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education, and a Major in English. Before moving to Kauai, Hawaii in 2006, I was able to teach 3rd and 4th grade in a multi-grade school for 1 year and preschool and kindergarten for 2 years in the Negros Occidental Conference. Since 2009, I've been working with children at All Saints Preschool.
I am married to Joel Same and we are blessed with 2 boys, Joash and John, who currently attend Kahili Adventist School. Our family loves hiking, gardening, swimming, and nature hiking.
This year, I couldn't be more excited to work with Mr. Fullmer and Mrs. Hargrave to help your children learn and grow. I claim His promises to do my best and He'll do the rest. Also, not to lean on my own understanding but to acknowledge Him and He'll direct my path!
Melba Gapuz, Preschool Director & Teacher
Melba has been running the Kahili Adventist Preschool for the past 10 years; in fact, she started the program. “I just love kids!” she says, and she loves the fact that she gets to teach children about Jesus while providing them with a fun and creative learning environment. She uses the Creation Kids Curriculum.
Prior to opening the preschool, Melba had worked for many years as a salesperson, and then was a supervisor at Honolua Surf Company, when she realized she wanted to do more with her life, and specifically, to do more to bring children closer to Jesus. She studied Early Childhood Education and earned her Associates Degree in 2010 from Kauai Community College.
Melba was born in the Philippines and moved to Kauai at the age of 15. She loves outdoor activities, especially hiking and running, and is very active in her local church. She lives with her sister’s family and helps raise her sister’s keiki too.
See the for more information.