Nu’uuli Vo-tech graduates 78 Wildcats in ceremony at the school’s gym

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. Seventy-eight students from the home of the Wildcats, Nuuuli Vocational Technical High School made up the school’s Class of 2022 with the theme "Ia loto mau, ia loto toa, lou lelei ia atoatoa" (Be strong, be courageous, may your goodness be perfect).

On Tuesday, June 14, 2022 the commencement ceremony held at the school’s gymnasium, saw Celestral Tuiloli awarded Valedictorian honors and Leilani Togi Salutatorian honors.

Two graduates received ASG scholarships — Taetuli Julius Laulu, who will be heading to The University of Nevada- Las Vegas and is majoring in Journalism.

The second recipient is Aifoi Levu lll, who has chosen the American Samoa Community College and will major in Architecture & Engineering.

Dr Valasi Apulu, principal of Nu’uuli congratulated her students and staff for their hard work over the challenging years, made even more challenging by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Congresswoman Uifa’atali Aumua Amata was part of the special guest list that included Lt. Governor Talauega Eleasalo Ale, who was the keynote speaker. He noted it was an honor and joy to attend graduations as it reminded him of when he was sitting in the same seat.

“But it is the feeling of excitement, the feeling of the possibilities that lie ahead and today is unquestionably your day, graduates.

“It is a day for you to celebrate and be thankful and we are so proud of you, all of us here in the gym, as well as the Government of American Samoa,” said the Lt Governor.

“We are proud because you the graduates of today, are the hope of our people. You are the hope of your family, church, village and the Government of American Samoa.”

Adding that Nuu’uli Vo-tech is the only technical school in American Samoa and the territory is sadly lacking in the collection of folks who are well trained to do this type of work.

“Your high school years have been marked by COVID-19. 2020 was when you were sophomores, and as soon as we heard about COVID-19, we locked down our schools and we had to resort to looking at the small screen on the computers to try to understand what the teachers taught,” said Talauega.

He said that it is tough being away from school and friends but students endured this.

“Even this year when we recorded our first community transmission, that must have been a terrible thing for you, to be scared and concerned about what might happen.

“I know the restrictions that we put in place, by the Task Force and Governor and some of those restrictions were put in place to protect you, our students, our future, from getting infected and potentially dying from the disease.

“But one thing that was clear, is that we wanted you students to come back to school and that it why we fought hard to lift the restrictions and open the schools. We were concerned about some of you getting hooked on Facebook instead of classes coming through Zoom,” he joked.

The Lt Governor said it wasn’t easy for the teachers either, having to do their lesson plans and having to figure out how to navigate the internet to deliver the lessons to their students — it was not an easy task.

He commended and acknowledged the hard work of the teachers, ensuring the students had the opportunity to learn.

“Today is a celebration for our teachers and parents,” he added.

During his time as Attorney General, Talauega said there was a proposition to build a gymnasium at the school and this went through during the Lolo and Lemanu Administration, and it was finally built towards the end of their term.

“Here you are today, enjoying your gym and this is great accomplishment for the parents teachers association, for your persistence in insisting that this school  — just like Leone, Samoana, and Fagaitua — deserves a gym,” said Talauega.

He also commended the Director of Education, Talauega Dr Asaeli Samasoni who was adamant in ensuring that this year’s graduations take place on each school’s campus.