Fagaitua High School graduates 93 at the Home of the Vikings

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Fagaitua High School graduated 93 at the 55th Commencement for the Class of 2023 on Monday, June 12, 2023, with six Valedictorians — 5 young women and 1 young man — and a sole Salutatorian. Their theme is “Tales be told of the places we will go.”

Fagaitua’s Golden Class of 2023 reached a 100 % graduation rate, with graduates accepted by 48 Colleges and Universities with a total scholarship amount offered of over $1 million.

The class was recognized by senior counsellor, Afainisi Faauliuli Mulitalo, while Principal Suaese ‘Pooch’ Taase presented them — with confirmation by the Acting Director, Dr. Roxanne Suaava-Saleve’a of the Department of Education.   

Rev. Feagaiga Misi of the Assembly of God- Vatia offered the benediction.

The six Valedictorians — of 5 young women and 1 young man — are as follows:

1 — Ms. Dorrin Marilyze Tuisamatatele — For the Class of 2023, she scored the highest SAT score of 1160, highest ACT 25, and the highest ASVAB Score of 82. She quotes best selling author Robin Sharma in highlighting her efforts: “Starting strong is good, finishing strong is epic!” Ms. Tuisamatatele hails from the villages of Fagaitua, Onenoa, Tula, Pago Pago and Seetaga. 

Her parents are Dr. Solomona and Dr. Dottier Tuisamatatele. She said she  hopes to inspire the younger generation that they are capable of achieving anything to which they put their minds. She had this piece of advice — be humble, work hard and to always put God first. Her achievement is dedicated to her only living grandparent, Mrs Elizabeth Nua Tusamatatele.

2 — Ms. Elisha Helena Akeli — She is the daughter of Ellen and Aukusitino Akeli from Aoa and Auasi; and is the spiritual daughter of Rev. Faletoi and Faioso Aofia of the CCCAS-Aoa.

Ms. Akeli is a JROTC Task Force Executive Officer and a member of the National Honor Society. She enjoys playing  basketball and softball and dreams of the day she can do so at the college or university of her choice. She plans to major in Business Management and Nursing. 

3 — Ms. Lahaina Mealai Mulitalo — She is from the villages of Alofau, Vailoatai, Vaitogi, Laulii and Saoluafata, and is the eldest daughter of Rev. Sanerivi and Lahaina Mulitalo. She is a member of the CCCAS- Alofau.

Of her accomplishment, she says, “The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.” Ms. Mulitalo dedicates her accomplishments to her late grandma VaaialealofaoleAtua Leseiau Laumoli, grandma Lafulafu and late grandpa Fuli Mulitalo in Upolu; Grandma Koko and grandpa Lauifi Laumoli in California; grandpa Vui Tagaloa in Laulii; papa Fiti and mama Alofamoni Aofia in Vailoa; Tuaolo & Fiapaipai Furean in Pago; Elder Dr Leatulagi & Vagai Faalevao, her church family in Alofau and especially to her parents, Lemua and her little AlofatunoaoleAtua that have been there through it all.

4 — Ms. Lonetona Vanesa Fanene — She is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. She dedicates this accomplishment to her grandfather Lusi Tanielu, her grandmother Toe Ipu Toaitiiti, her uncle Petia Toaitiiti, her grandmother Eleni Tanielu, her parents and her siblings. Ms. Fanene is the youngest daughter of Petita and Petala Fanene of Lauliii, Masausi and Samoa.

5 — Ms. Taralina Hermia Simanu — She is from the villages of Utumea, Aunuu, Utulei and Aoloau. She is the youngest child of her Fonoti Nofoatolu Uluiva Simanu and Hermia Lutiaiafa Fonoti Simanu. Taralina attributes much of her success to the lessons she learned from her parents, family, school, and church.

6 — Mr.Toamalama Filiki Toelupe — He is the son of Robert and Bethany Malae Malae Toelupe. He hails from the village of Aua – Tama ole Paepaeulupoo and the village of Leone. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints- Aua. He currently serves as an assistant in the Priest Quorum in the Young Men’s Auxiliary.

This past year, he was Co-captain and a member of the Varsity Boys Basketball Team, a member of the National Honor Society Milton de Mel Chapter, a member of the HOSA club and participant of Finafinau’s Meal and a Mentor group.

The sole Salutatorian for FHS Class of 2023 is Marisa Galuta Talo from the villages of Laulii, Masefau, Savaia, Tafagamanu, and Saoluafata. She is the daughter of Maputiga Taumalae Talo and Nerisa Talo. Ms. Talo is a member of the CCAS- Laulii.  Her goals are to earn a Ph.D and provide for her family.

She dedicates this accomplishment to her late great-grandmothers Afainisi Galuta Talo of Aunu’u and Perelini Va’atausili Sauni of Laulii, her late grandma Apaula Sauni Talo of Laulii, her grandparents Fa’auliuli and Diana Talo, her second parents Mui and Laupama Gaoa, Solomona and Afainisi Mulitalo, her spiritual parents Rev. Iakopo and Salamasina Seumalo, and especially to her parents and siblings for their never ending support.  She will be attending Southern Utah University and majoring in Pre-Med.

The top ten Students include:  Lagilelei Faga, who shares the honor of  the highest SAT score of 1160 with Valedictorian Tuisamatatele; Tanielu Lauaoa, Fefiloi Savusa, and Genovia Epaia Pan with SAT scores of 1130 and Healani Tafua, Allenyah Mayer, Joseph Lavea, Leutta Isamaeli with SAT score of 970.

OTHER AWARDS

The Aumua Amata Congressional nominees from FHS to the Service Academies for 2023 are: Dorrin Tusamatatele, United States Marine Academy; Tatiana Williams, United States Air Force Academy; and Leutta Isamaeli, United States Air Force Academy.

In respect of our culture and our mother language, Gov. Lemanu P. S. Mauga during his special remarks advised the graduates saying:  

“Le vasega fau’u, lafo i aloalo la outou savaliga umi ma le faigamalaga a faiaoga sa otou lasia mauga tetele ma uia vanu loloto aua lo outou faamoemoe mo se lumana’i manuia. Susuga ile Pule aoga, Faiaoga o le laumua i Fagaitua nei o le fetu mai sasa’e  o lea ua tamatala le avei ina ua mapu e’e le toeaina o le Alataua ae logo i tino matagi lelei. Malo le fa’asusu, malo le fafaga . o le upu moni po le lava le aitua o Faga ia e lua iinei Fagaitua ua o outou manumalo. Aua sa  outou futi mea faatasi ma o outou fa’amoemoe tasi i le Atua aua o ia o le fau o Agaga.  

O outou o le toa o le vasa tala’i le tala lelei, aemaise le saililiga manuia agai i luma.  Fa’amanuia le Atua ia outou, tausi pea e le Atua i le aga’i luma o outou fanau fa’afetai tele i le avanoa manuia le aofia.”

Translated: “The graduating Class, along with your teachers, you’ve fought and achieved today as a result of a long journey through mountains and valleys in hope for a promising future.

Teachers of the FHS, the rising star from the East has navigated its rays into our hearts in relief of the tapuaiga from Alataua. Cheers to your hard work as we see in today’s successful outcome.

“You have won against the odd challenges in life, because you have favored God instead.

“You are Champions of the wide ocean, go on and spread the good word, especially the search for future blessings.

“God Bless, may the Lord guide you all and thank you for the opportunity to speak before you.”

Parents, friends and graduates gathered after Commencement to celebrate with ulas of money & candy, balloons, and lots of photo ops. [photo: AT]