In what one described as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” four budding astronomers on Wednesday learned they had won time using one of the world’s most powerful telescopes.

“It’s like winning a Grammy,” said Jamie Valdez, 18, after the announcement of the winners at the Kapolei High School library. “We were so surprised. Like, I was shaking the whole time.”

Four Kapolei students were named the inaugural winners of the Maunakea Scholars Program, believed to be the first of its kind in the United States that gives aspiring astronomers an opportunity to spend time at a major international observatory. The pilot program is a partnership between the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, the Gemini International Observatory, both of which are atop Mauna Kea, and the state Department of Education.

Doug Simons, director of the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, announced two groups of winners from Kapolei High. Each two-member team will spend an hour to an hour-and-a-half at CFHT’s control room to further their research.

“This is a breakthrough program,” said Simons. “It’s a quantum leap.”

The program comes at a difficult time for astronomy on Mauna Kea. Over the last year or so, protesters, many of them Native Hawaiians, and unfavorable court rulings have delayed indefinitely the construction of the $1.4 billion Thirty Meter Telescope.

With the help from mentors of the University of Hawaii’s Institute for Astronomy, several student teams worked for months researching and preparing their proposals.

Nevyn Tyau and Ashley Cobbs, who submitted their proposal, “Validating or Redefining Mischaracterized Unconfirmed Exoplanets,” were selected as one of the winning teams. Exoplanets orbit stars other than the sun.

“I’m just really excited to be able to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Tyau, 17, after the ceremony.

Her passion in astronomy began in the eighth grade when her mother registered her at the Pacific Aviation Museum’s Flight School for Girls. The experience at the flight school was life-changing, she said.

“I didn’t really care about school, but when I went to that program, it made me just wanna study aviation and aerospace and astronomy forever.”

With a glint of joy in her eyes, the aspiring astronautical engineer, said, “I really just want to explore the universe.”

Valdez and David Zerba were the second team awarded telescope time to further research on their proposal, “Quasars and What They Are Made Of.”

Valdez’s interest in astronomy began as a child while gazing at stars.

“I guess it was always something I always wanted to pursue but never really took on ’cause I didn’t think it was realistic. And now I’m in high school and taking the (astronomy) class and it just became real,” she said.

Schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi said after the ceremony that she was impressed with the students’ research proposals, which “show a depth of understanding about the subject and a curiosity that’s phenomenal.”

She added, “I am blown away, absolutely blown away.”

Growing up in Hilo, Matayoshi recalled when the first telescope was built atop Mauna Kea. “I have never had an understanding like this of what was being done on top of the mountain,” she said.

In two weeks, Simons and outreach program manager Mary Beth Laychak of the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope will visit Waiakea High School on Hawaii island to award another group of students telescope time.

Observatory officials hope to expand the Maunakea Scholars Program by adding more Mauna Kea telescopes to the itinerary and including more high schools.

During the ceremony, Simons encouraged students to follow their dreams. Holding a small eyepiece from a telescope he received as a Christmas gift from his parents when he was in the seventh grade, Simons said the piece symbolizes the start of a dream that led to his 30-year career as an astronomer in Hawaii.

“It all starts with a spark,” said Simons. “I hope this program is your spark.”