WAI'ANAE — So ironic.

When Josiah ChongTim was helping feed the homeless as part of a church function, little did he know he'd one day be among the homeless himself.

But for about a nine-month period during his junior year at Wai'anae High, ChongTim and his family were surviving in a tent in the yard of his grandparents' home in Wai'anae. While it might not have been as dire as those living on the beaches of the Leeward Coast, the amenities of having walls and a solid roof were still lacking. Heavy rain would cause the tent to collapse, making for nights with little sleep.

"I never thought I'd end up in a similar situation," ChongTim said. "It was kind of shocking for me."

ChongTim, an O'ahu Interscholastic Association Western Division all-star lineman, is among 12 seniors who will be honored at tonight's National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Awards banquet at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Each was selected not just for their achievements in football, but for their scholastic aptitude (they all had a minimum grade point average of 3.0) and their community service.

ChongTim's ordeal began when both his parents were out of jobs. They have since returned to work and are in a house again.

Yet, ChongTim refused to feel sorry for himself. Not many knew of his tribulation, including teachers. When he failed an Advanced Placement English course during that time, he didn't blame his situation.

"I didn't want anybody to cut me any slack," he said. "In life, nobody cuts you any slack no matter what your situation is."

But remarkably, he has maintained a 3.5 cumulative grade point average. Studying became a juggling act. He used whatever free time he had in school to get homework done. But not knowing when or if his situation was going to improve had him thinking. In their tent, he and his older brother Justin, a freshman football player at Long Beach City College in California with a financial aid package that covers most of his expenses, would talk about their future. They knew that a college education was the best way to give themselves a chance.

"It made me think of my career," he said. "My future, I don't want to suffer this (homelessness) and I want to help my family, too."

Wai'anae agriculture teacher Lei Aken noticed the brothers were close and motivated.

"They realize education is important," Aken said. "It's their freedom.

"(Josiah) is a good student, a good leader. He has good qualities, is hard-working and is self-directed."

ChongTim, who wants to major in civil or mechanical engineering, is still looking for a college. He said Wyoming will meet him next month. He said he was told it doesn't have any more football scholarships, but is looking at other options, such as academic scholarships. Also, as teacher's aide to Seariders' football coach Dan Matsumoto, a career college counselor at Wai'anae, he has the time to research financial aid opportunities. ChongTim also holds a job at Tamura's Superette in Wai'anae.

"This boy has a lot of initiative," Matsumoto said. "He does a lot on his own."

ChongTim would like to continue playing football in college. But at 6 feet 2 and 240 pounds, he is considered undersized for an offensive lineman, which he played for the Seariders. He said some coaches are talking of moving him to defensive end, like his brother Justin. Another option ChongTim is considering is joining his brother at Long Beach City.

"He'll do fine in whatever he does," Aken said. "He has good work ethics."