Educational network founded by Samoan educators in California to be featured on CNN by Tina Mata'afa Samoa News Writer The National Pacific lslander Educational Network (NPIEN), founded by several Samoan educators in California, will be featured on CNN Dec. 16 for its standout program that gives high school students and families hope and the belief that they can compete and fulfill their dreams in the US. Established in 2001, NPIEN has helped more than 500 Pacific Islander youth through its conferences and outreach visits which unite community organizations, schools, businesses and government agencies to strengthen families and promote educational excellence in Los Angeles, Ventura and San Diego counties. "NPIEN was created in 2001, following a charge by then Congressman Robert Underwood of Guam at the first Summit on Higher Education for Southeast Asians and Pacific Islanders, for educators to unite and form an organization to help students," NPIEN President Dr. Victor Thompson, who helped to co-found the non-profit organization told Samoa News. Thompson, a former teacher and track and cross country coach, is considered a pioneer for the work he has done as a Samoan educator in California. He is one of few Samoan administrators in California. Several years ago, he became the first Pacific Islander to earn recognition as California State Administrator of the Year. Founding members of NPIEN include educators from various California school districts: Dr. Alofa (Compton Unified School District), Freda Tanuvasa (Los Angeles USD), Sevia Ma'ae (Lynwood USD), UCLA instructor Iosefa Aina, Art Medina (Cal State University Long Beach EOP Program) and Joyce Mann (Paramount USD). The NPIEN motto is, "Uniting the Resources of the Village to Strengthen Families, the Community, and to Promote Educational Excellence." "Since only about a percent of Pacific Islander students graduate from college, and there are few Pacific Islander professionals, it (NPIEN) gives children hope, that they can compete here on the mainland and fulfill their dreams," said Thompson. "We have had Pacific Islander doctors, lawyers, teachers, business people...speak at our events, both male and female. We do not feature athletes very often, unless they hold a college degree." NPIEN teaches "parents, students about the importance of education, and instruct teachers, faculty, and school and community officials about the Pacific Islander culture, and how to best support our students in their educational pursuits," Thompson explained. "The vast majority of those who work with our community are not from our community, thus, the importance of including the total village in our work." Conferences, held yearly, are geared toward entire families not just students. Its outreach visits are taken to participating schools to students levels kindergarten through 12. Its most recent annual conference held Nov. 17, 2007 in Paramount, Calif., drew 123 students, 16 teachers and 109 parents and community members. NPIEN's 2002 conference included Gov. Togiola Tulafono as a speaker and Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin spoke at their conference in 2004. Togiola, Faleomavaega and former ASCC President Dr. Adele Satele-Galea'i are members of the NPIEN Board, said Dr. Thompson. NPIEN is looking forward to receiving help from locals interested in helping the organization accomplish its mission which is to increase the numbers of Pacific Islander students that attain college degrees and fulfill their dreams. "The best way would be via the Internet, and we invite local schools to correspond with us, so we can correspond," said Dr. Thompson. "So many of the youth here have never been to the islands, and it would be great for them to communicate with one another." Visit www.npien.com for more information. Reach the reporter at tina@samoanews.com © Osini Faleatasi Inc. dba Samoa News reserves all rights.