Manu’a High School launches the 2023 govt commencement season

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Manu’a High School class of 2023’s commencement ceremony started off American Samoa’s Department of Education’s public high school graduations last week at 10a.m. Friday, June 9, 2023.

The 17 graduates were adorned in purple and white cap and gowns — boys wore white gowns with purple stripes at the bottom of the the sleeves, while the ladies sported purple gowns with white stripes at the bottom of their sleeves — the signature colors of the home of the graceful Segaula. 

The venue of the Segaula’s commencement ceremony was filled with family members, friends, teachers, faculty, staff, and invited government officials, which included Gov. Lemanu P. S. Mauga, Uta Dr. Laloulu Tagoilelagi, Director of the American Samoa on Arts, Council and Humanities, Senator Malaepule Saite Moliga, Vice Speaker of the House Fetu Fetui Jr., DOE Deputy Director of Instruction Roxanne Salave’a and Rev. Elder Iosefa Autele, who led with the opening invocation after the first hymn was sung by the graduating class.

After acknowledging special guests and welcoming all invited guests, the Master of Ceremonies, Manu’a High School Principal Faatoese Tauanuu called upon the graduating class’ senior advisor, and the Territorial Teacher of the year 2022- 23, Mr. Konelio Alofaituli to recognize the National Honor Society (NHS) students in the pillars of leadership, scholarship, service and character, as well as acknowledge the top 10 students of the graduating class. 

 “You are the master of your alia, but God is the master of your journey,” was Manu’a High School’s class of 2023’s theme. 

Fa’amasani Filimigo was recognized as the NHS President; Kayden Petana as the NHS Vice President; Fa’auiga Miriam Moliga NHS member, Melissa Filimiga Li’a, NHS member, Ina Lualagi Saiaaga, NHS member, and Toasamoa Tuialuuluu, NHS member. 

The top 10 students, recognized for their grade point averages and learning efforts were as follows; Brigham Fetuao Finau, Ina Lualani Saia’ana, Nainoa Alexander the Great Leulua’i, Melissa Arieta Filemigo Li’a, Caleb Aviata, Iloilo Jr. Faapouli Si’imalevai, Fa’auiga Miriam Moliga, Fa’amasani Solomona Filimigo, Toasamoa Tuialuuluu, and Robert Nofoaiga Mauga.  

A letter from the DOE Secondary Division disclosed results from the NOCTI test for students who have taken classes in Career Technology programs and Toasamoa Tuialuuluu, was awarded the passing results for workforce competent credentials, and “these credentials certified that Tuialuuluu has exceeded national standards in the 21st century skills for workplace success as verified by NOCTI’s nationally accredited process” signed by the president and CEO of NOCTI, Dr. John T. Foster. 

Manu’a High school class of 2023 Class Valedictorian, Toasamoa Tuialuuluu after their commencement ceremony. Ms. Tuialuuluu will be enrolling in ASCC’s Nursing Program this fall semester while next week, she will be attending a Close Up program trip to Washington D.C. (courtesy photo)

Daughter of Mr. Vaimili Tuialuuluu and Mrs. Lua Tuialuuluu of Ta’u Manu’a, school president, member of the NHS as well, a member of the Health Occupation Students of America, Toasamoa Tuialuuluu was the Valedictorian. She is looking at attending ASCC and majoring in the Nursing Program. She graduated with a GPA of 3.96.

Melissa Arieta Filemigo Li’a, daughter of Mr. Lua’ipou Li’a and Mrs. Arieta Filemigo Li’a of Ta’u Manu’a, a member of CCCAS Youth of Ta’u, school vice president, member of the Manu’a High NHS chapter, a selected representative to attend a Close Up trip to Washington D.C. next week, was class Salutatorian. She is planning on attending ASCC or will enlist in one of the branches of the US Armed Forces. She graduated with a GPA of 3.947.

Manu’a High schools class of 2023 Salutatorian, Melissa Ariel’s Filemigo Li’a of Ta’u, Manu’a, posing for a photo with her mother, Ariel’s Filemigo Li’a, after their commencement ceremony. (courtesy photo)

Governor Lemanu was the keynote speaker. He spoke of the commencement ceremony as “the culmination of their hard work as children stepping into a new world.” 

He then advised the graduating class to not forget “to thank our Heavenly Father,” their parents, spiritual parents, family members, friends and the home of the Segaula, who without them, they would not be here today to receive these special recognitions, for if it were not their hard work and blessings, they would not be able to take the next step as new adults into the world. 

In emphasizing the class theme and comparing it to the journey of the graduating class’ future endeavors, the governor related that “life is like the captaining of an alia, it is a war ship which would house the force of a hundred warriors, and a ship was not easy to navigate,” but they would find their way, with the help and prayers of their parents, family and friends, leaving behind the comforts of their home, so they may return to lead Manu’a into the future. 

An awards ceremony was held earlier in the week, which included the National Honor award, sponsored by Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata.

Acting Director of DOE Roxanne Salave’a confirmed, “all 17 graduates have completed and met the requirements set forth by the ASDOE” and she congratulated the graduates.