Samoan girl living in Alaska garners scholarship to USC

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Loretta Ueselani from Nu'uuli American Samoa and Avao Savaii secured a $72,000 scholarship for the University of Southern California (USC). Loretta graduated with High Honors (Magna Cum Laude in both High School and Middle College with a 4.0 GPA) from West Anchorage High School on May 16, 2023 and also graduated from Anchorage Middle College on May 19, 2023.  She attended college while still in High School.

In addition to the USC scholarship, the National Honor Society member is also a recipient of the YWCA $2000 Youth Scholarship Award and the $2000 Scholarship Award for the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Gamma Alpha Chapter of Anchorage Alaska.

She will attend USC during the upcoming fall semester and will be pursuing a career in Business Administration.  She is the daughter of Ielu Ueselani of Avao Savaii and Lanutoto Taufete'e-Ueselani of Nuuuli American Samoa.  The grandaughter of the late Tausaga Taufete'e of Nuuuli and Fua Tauai-Taufete'e of Leusoalii - Luatuanuu Samoa.  She is pictured here with her parents.