Tongan Market Corporation names its first ASCC scholarship recipient

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Tongan Market Corporation Limited Steering Committee has selected, Maika Tatofi as the first recipient of its scholarship to attend the American Samoa Community College.

According to the committee, Maika was born and raised in American Samoa.  His parents are Tatofi and Makileta Tatofi. He has four brothers and three sisters.  He is the youngest of the children. 

Maika attended Tafuna High School for four years and his favorite subject is science. He speaks three languages — Tongan, English and Samoan. He has never been to Tonga but plans to visit his family there one day. 

The committee explained that Maika applied for the scholarship hoping to attend the ASCC in Fall, 2022. He plans to major in Business. Maika is aware that Tongan students are under-represented at the American Samoa Community College.  He expressed a strong commitment to education. He wants to do well and be a role model for students to pursue a college degree. He believes education will open the doors of opportunity. Opportunity to grow intellectually and to be a responsible citizen in our community. 

The Steering Committee of the Tongan Market Corporation Limited is humbled and proud to award the first Scholarship of $4,000 to a student of Tongan descent. 

“We believe Maika Tatofi will be successful in his pursuit of a college degree. He will be a role-model for Tongan students to believe in Dreams, Prayers, Hard Work and Persistence. We wish him much success in his future endeavors,” the committee said.