Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Kanana Fou High School’s 29 graduates were all in sky blue graduation gowns, at 10a.m Thursday, June 8, 2023 — marching through a crowd composed of several hundred parents, friends, families and invited guests, who came to celebrate their Commencement Ceremony.
“O le mata’u ile Atua, o le amataga lea o le poto” (“The fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom”) was printed in big letters on a banner that hung before the graduates and audience, during the two-hour ceremony.
The Class of 2023’s theme was, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”.
The High School’s Vice Principal Mr Mali’oli’o Ailima welcomed everyone, while the Principal Sinaitaaga Gaoteote-Tufele addressed the graduation class with special remarks.
She said to the graduating class, “You will face many challenges where you need to decide between right or wrong. The moments sometimes can be overlooked, but the choices that you make in those key moments will make a difference in life that you will lead.”
The Principal noted that her hopes and beliefs are that each student will always lean on God for all the difficult choices they make through their journeys, and today is the beginning of another chapter in their lives.
Gov. Lemanu P. S. Mauga as keynote speaker told graduates, “Le Vasega Faau’u, ose tasi o lu’itau o lenei soifuaga, is failure. Failure as it is defined, is frequently expressed as the inability to perform or act according to expectations.” He added, “My question is: Who sets those expectations? Often the failure we most struggle to move past is the failure to live up to some unreasonable, artificial standard set by others or even ourselves.”
Governor Lemanu explained that failure, to him — a lot of times it’s a good thing, because we will gain confidence through Christ, because now we will spend more time on our knees crying for God’s help.
He told the Kanana Fou Class of 2023, “Don’t be discouraged, because I do know that by putting your life and trust in God’s hands, your dreams and goals will be possible by the grace of God.”
The two-hour program included presentation of Special Awards, which began with the recognition of the two Valedictorians, Deshawannalaine Tavita and Faafetai Roe, and the two Salutatorians, Ms Denise Tauailemafua and Ms. Letauiloamiotamalii Va’a.
Of note, Va'a had the highest SAT score for the Class of 2023.
2023 Special Graduate Recognition listed in the program for those who have been accepted by Colleges and Universities, received tuition awards and scholarships, or will serve in the United States military, includes:
1. Ms. Deshawannalaine Tavita: Valedictorian:
Enlisted in the U.S.Navy and awarded a scholarship of $180,000. Also accepted to Grace College and awarded a Dean Scholarship of $46,000, and recipient of the Diversity Award in the amount of $5,000. She is also accepted to the University of Colorado Spring (UCCS) and awarded the Chancellor’s award of $10,000. Accepted to Chaminade University, University of Hawaii, Washington State University, and Purdue University.
2. Mr Faafetai Roe: Co-Valedictorian is accepted to the University of Alaska, Anchorage, and awarded a full-ride scholarship.
He’s also accepted to Oklahoma University and awarded 2 Certificates of recognition in Mathematics. Accepted to Metropolitan State University, Chaminade University of Honolulu, Grand Canyon University, and Utah Tech University.
3. Ms Denise Tauailemafua: Salutatorian, is considering ASCC and Colleges/ Universities off-island.
4. Ms. Letauiloamiotamalii Va’a, the Co-Salutatorian is accepted at Northern Arizona University.
5. Ms. Charity Tagaloa has been accepted to to Utah Tech University and awarded a 4-year scholarship of $36,742. She’s also accepted to Missouri State University, University of Montana, Cleveland University, and Westminster College in Pennsylvania, Medaille University, and Hawaii Pacific University.
6. Ms Railagi Mua is accepted to Southern Utah University and offered a Scholarship, She is also accepted to Bethany College, Concordia University, Chowan University, and Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia.
7. Ms. Pelemaua Lauofo is accepted to Southern Utah University and awarded a $55,264 non-residential Founders Scholarship plus an additional $6,908 per semester for four consecutive years. Accepted to Oakland University and the Hawaii Community College (HCC)
8. Ms Juliana Ieremia is accepted to Southern Oregon University ASCC,
9. Mr Jovande Tufele passed the ASVAB Exam and is planning to join the US Army.
10. Ms. Angel Misi passed her ASVAB Exam and intends to join the US Army, but is also considering ASCC.
The rest of the 2023 Graduating Class is also considering attending ASCC.
Other awards included the Presidential Award, and the National Honor from the office of Congresswoman Uifaatali Aumua Amata.
Governor Lemanu concluded his keynote address with advice to the graduates.
“Graduates take chances, it’s a new world out there, explore it and don’t be afraid of failing, because it’s a sure way of going outside the box, and think outside of the box.
“Failing while fulfilling your dreams is reaching for the top and brings about changes in the world in your own way.
“O le mata’u ile Atua o le amataga lea o le Poto,” he said.
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