ASCC awards In-House Scholarships for Spring 2025

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Student Services Division at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) has announced the spring 2025 recipients of the two ASCC “in-house” scholarships, the President’s Merit Scholarship and the Saili le Atamai Non-Pell Scholarship. All ASCC students may apply for these scholarships, including those who do not qualify for the federal financial aid which most students born in the Territory have access to. This semester, Ms. Faatele Toaitiiti and Mr. Gordon Toala have both received the President’s Merit Scholarship, while the Saili le Atamai Scholarship has gone to Ms. Lucille Auvele and Ms. Pearl Munoz. The recipients will each receive a deduction of $500 from their ASCC tuition and fees.  

President’s Merit Scholarship recipient Ms. Faatele Toaitiiti will graduate this semester with an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice. She has also served as an officer in the Sigma Kappa Delta English Honor Society. Ms. Toaitiiti has stated that the challenge to do well with her education while her family struggled to cope with the loss of her father has motivated her to seek a career where she can assist others. “I want to pursue a career where I can make a meaningful impact”, she said, “especially in communities that face hardships. The lessons I learned about resilience, empathy and hard work will guide me as I continue my education and future career.”

2023 Samoana High School graduate Gordon Toala has also received the President’s Merit Scholarship. Double-majoring in Civil Engineering Technology  and Liberal Arts, Mr. Toala is also a member of the prestigious Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. His recommendations for the scholarship came not only from his instructors and advisors, but also from his spiritual mentor from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, who commended Mr. Toala for his service as his ward’s Music Director, pianist and Cleark Assistant, responsibilities he maintains along with his studies. One of Mr. Toala’s instructors enthused that he “has the potential to become a community leader in the near future”.  

Saili le Atamai Non-Pell Scholarship recipient Ms. Lucille Auvele graduated from Tafuna High School and is now pursuing a degree in Business Management at ASCC. A citizen of the Independent State of Samoa, Ms. Auvele competed in last year’s Mosoo’I Pageant, an experience which she says taught he careful time management and discipline. She received highly favorable references from her Business Department instructors, as well as from the management of the ASCC Admissions Office, where she has served in a work-study capacity for several semesters.

Also receiving the Saili le Atamai Non-Pell Scholarship, Ms. Pearl Munoz was born in the Philippines, and majors in Nursing. Like many ASCC Nursing majors, Ms. Munoz also works as part of her studies at the LBJ Hospital, where her supervisor has commended her for having a strong work ethic and positive attitude. “As a future nurse”, said Ms. Munoz, “I will work closely with patients and doctors, where understanding and compassion matter more than proving a point. What truly matters is making people feel heard and valued.”

(Top Image) ASCC President Dr. Rosevonne Pato (center) congratulates President's Merit Scholarship recipients Gordon Toala (left) and Faatele Toaitiiti. (Bottom Image) ASCC Student Government Coordinator Falaileato Suiaunoa (center) joins Pearl Munoz (left) and Lucille Avele to celebrate their receiving the College's Saili le Atamai Non-Pell Scholarship. [Courtesy Photo]

ASCC Dean of Student Services Dr. Emilia Le’i congratulated this semester’s four scholarship recipients and encouraged any interested ASCC students to apply for the available assistance. “American Samoa is more of an international community than some may realize”, she reflected. “While the majority of our young adults are U.S. Nationals who qualify for Pell Grant assistance when attending college, ASCC also serves many who are from other areas of the Pacific and the wider world. We understand that the cost of higher education can be especially difficult for those without access to federal aid, and I encourage those facing this situation, and anyone else interested, to find out more about the ASCC in-house scholarships.”