This month’s Marist golf tournament will provide funding for multiple education aims

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Investing in education for future leaders of the territory is the notion for the Marist Annual Golf tournament fundraiser, which is scheduled on November 19, 2022.

Established in 2019, the Marist Brothers Crusaders Alumni Association (MBCAA) has put all their fundraising into various Catholic school campus projects. 

This was a statement released by the MBCAA in response to Samoa News questions regarding this year’s golf tournament.

 “This is our only public fundraising event for the year. We are so grateful for the generosity of the community over the years and we hope to continue these efforts to give back to our alma mater.”

The MBCAA is the latest incarnation in the proud history of the Marist alumni that have come together to give back to their school.

 “We follow a great legacy of previous Marist alumni associations that have all contributed to the Marist Brothers schools from the elementary schools in Atu’u to the Marist brothers High School in Malaeloa and to today’s Faasao/Marist High School.”

The MBCAA is led by President Monsignor Viane Etuale, Vice-President is Lt. Governor Talauega E. V. Ale, Secretary Chris King and Treasurer Robert Ho Chee and an active group of alumni members.  

 “We work closely with the school principal and administration to coordinate and implement priority school projects.”

The statement says the annual Marist Brothers Crusaders Alumni Association golf tournament is held every year in November and usually the Saturday before Thanksgiving. 

 “We are very grateful to the Director of the Sports Authority for their support over the years as well as to our donators, contributors, volunteers, family and friends. 

 “Our goal is to have a fun filled event with great prizes, food and entertainment as we raise funds for a worthy cause. 

 “We would like to acknowledge our major sponsors for the past 6 years, first Pago Pago Trading Company (PPTC) and for the past 5 years SOPAC, the distributor of Budweiser and other fine products for their continued support.”

According to the statement since the  50th anniversary celebration of the first graduating Marist Brothers High School in 2019, the Marist Brothers Crusaders Alumni Association (MBCAA) has put all our fundraising events into various campus projects. 

 “Beginning with the laboratory renovation, storage and training room renovation, coordinating with ASG for the new rock wall, installation of new entrance gates, purchasing of landscape equipment, relocation of flag poles relaunch of the football team after a ten-year hiatus and many other projects.”

The MBCAA also has a scholarship program, which is not limited to only Marist students but it’s extended to every eligible student that applies.

 “One of the most important programs funded by the MBCAA is our annual Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) program, which was established three years ago. 

 “We are up to 27 full TAG awards for the 2022-2023 school year and we have been able to increase the number students every year only as a result of the generosity for our alumni by donations and these fundraising efforts. 

 “The TAG award is open to all students and is based on financial need of the students and families.”

The statement says that MBCAA continues to support the school’s athletic programs for boys and girls.

 “And we are planning to construct new storage facilities as the school is preparing for a new instructional wing.

 “Last year, the MBCAA made our first donation of $10,000 to the Hope House and we plan to continue this tradition moving forward.”

The statement says the effectiveness of the MBCAA is only as strong as the engagement and commitment of its members.  

 “To this end, the Tautai’s have so kindly opened their home to host our weekly meeting since the beginning of the MBCAA.  Having a base to call our MBCAA home has been instrumental for us to achieve our objectives.  Thank you to all our supporters, contributors, members and their families,” the MBCAA concluded.