Manu’a High School graduates a small but mighty Class of 2022

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Paramount Builders is proud to sponsor coverage of all of the 2022 American Samoa High School Graduations, and wishes all graduates a successful journey into the future. Eight students from Manu'a High School — home of the Segaula — have achieved another milestone in their academic life.

After graduating from high school, some will pursue higher education through the local American Samoa Community College, while others are heading overseas to fulfill their academic goals.

The class Valedictorian is Allyson Liusamoa and Salutatorian is Sekolasitika D Filimigo.

In attendance at the graduation was Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga and First Lady Ella Mauga, Congresswoman Uifa’atali Aumua Amata, and Department of Education Director, Talauega Dr. Samasoni Asaeli, as well as parents, families, and friends of the graduating class.

The ceremony was held at the high school gymnasium.

The theme for this graduating class is “From ashes of Phoenixes, we soar like eagles" — commemorating what has to be one of their most difficult academic years with the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions playing an integral part in their efforts.

Prior to the graduation ceremony on Friday, there was a virtual award ceremony that was widely publicized on the Manu'a High School social media page.

Manu'a High School Principal, Uluiva Tauanu'u spoke of how education switched to virtual learning.

"You have endured so much in the last four years, not just academically, socially, and globally. Together your class experienced the first-ever event in American Samoa and Manu'a High School when the world entered the pandemic and our school switched to virtual learning.

Academically, your challenges became more vigorous and you had to adapt to a different process and you were left to complete your senior year remotely at home due to the advancement of modern-day technology.

"Socially you were away from your peers and staff," she said. Adding that while it was difficult the students conquered it, academically and socially.

"To rise like a Phoenix of ashes and from the ashes means that you have come out of your senior year battling new and overwhelming circumstances, stronger, smarter, and more powerful.

“You are not a big class in numbers but you are an enormous class with huge hearts and great humility and you will soar like eagles.

“Better yet you will soar like great Segaula Warriors of Manu'a High School," said the MHS Principal.

During the virtual ceremony, Salutatorian Ms. Filimigo said as the school year ends she is grateful to her teachers for their patience and for giving her a second chance to excel in her academic school year.

"Your faith in my abilities is why I understand my true worth much beyond what I or anybody else thought. Thank you for the hard work throughout this school year," she said.

She graduated with a 3.82 GPA, and is the daughter of Tuua Alofa and MerryChristmas Ueligatone Filimigo of Ta’u, Manu'a.

Valedictorian Allyson Liusamoa graduated with a GPA of 3.97. Her life’s goal, according to the Principal is to be a registered nurse. She is the daughter of Vala Porotesano and Lani Liuosamoa of Ta'u Manu'a.

 During her speech, Ms. Liusamoa acknowledged the hard work of the faculty and staff of Manu'a High School, and that despite the COVID-19 restrictions, she made sure it was a "special" end of the year for the graduating class.

Ms. Liusamoa made special mention of the spiritual leaders of Manu’a, thanking them for their prayers, as well as acknowledging her family and friends.

"It takes a community to educate a child and all of you donated your time to help all of us.

“A special thanks to my amazing parents — saying thank you is an understatement and I express how grateful and blessed I am to call you my mom and dad.

She also congratulated her fellow graduates for what a year it has been.