Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Despite the hardships imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic on learning — with distance learning becoming an integral part of the solution to staying safe while “Saili le Atamai” or Seeking Wisdom” — the American Samoa Community College, Home of the Chiefs, celebrated its 74th Commencement Ceremony with all the pomp and circumstances needed to graduate 79 Chiefs, plus those ‘walking’ as they could not attend their graduations off-island, on Friday, May 21, 2021.

Held outside, under tents, on the ASCC campus, it was a ceremony celebrating not only the graduates, but also a spree of  ‘firsts’ that has made the path to seeking wisdom all the more resilient.

ASCC’s college president, Dr. Rosevonne Makaiwi-Pato in her welcoming remarks to the ASCC Graduating Class of 2021 and guests pointed out that, “Today marks a very historical event as it is the 50th anniversary of the first graduating class of ASCC in the year 1971.

“This year marks several firsts,” she continued.

“For the first time, a graduating class had to adjust to one year of closed borders, a year of online college courses, programs, and service offerings, a year of faculty professional development and technical training for internet and system changes, a year for 4-year bachelors graduates to wait for practicum, fieldwork, and student teaching, a year for those who could not attend their graduations off-island and will be walking to receive their bachelors and masters degrees from off island universities, and for our very own doctoral graduate who persevered to complete the EdD today, one year of resiliency.

“We have passed a whole year of change and adjustment — this is the true meaning of resiliency. Being able to adjust to change, bounce back, and move forward. Today we witness a class that has learned through the hardest of times, yet conquered with resiliency,”

The two Summa Cum Laude (GPA 3.90- 4.00) for the Class of 2021 are (right) Judith S. Liu and (left) Valencia S. Tinae. [photo: LF]

Commencement Speaker Ms Lornalei Meredith in her address spoke of ‘pearls of wisdom’ that she has discovered in pursuit of her life’s journey, so far — since graduating from ASCC in 2005, 16 years ago.

Spelling out the word ‘wisdom’, Ms Meredith spoke of learning “When to ask why, why NOT and Why NOT ME,  to look inside oneself — to know thyself, acknowledging those who sacrifice for your success, which “will humble and ground you”, never to be discouraged by failure — instead look to “do it anyway!’ and to master one’s self so as to create “your own doors to opportunities” — achieving your dreams.

Governor Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga presented Special Remarks, while Invocation was offered by Rev. Tafailematagi Muasau, CCCAS Vaitogi.

GRADUATES:

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS — LIBERAL ART

Annievictorial A. Aveina, Olivia Faumui, Lavatiameaumailealofa Fogavai, Lily Lauina, Mary Fanoia Lefiti, Lolua L. Leomiti, Judith S. Liu, George K. Malaki, David J. Meleisea, Amelia M. Paea, Josua H. Reed, Silivelia L. Robertson, Melanie A. Salave’a, Patopa’e E. Solaita, Paulea C. Ta’ase, Sierra Tapie, Marlen N. To’ilolo, Sabrina K. Uti, Vanessa S.T. Young

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE WITH AN EMPHASIS IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

Jennifer S. Leoso, Toetu Lilomaiava, Avasa Matoka, Fa’aleiloa Oeti, Fiti S. Sua, Jacinta Tavita

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE WITH AN EMPHASIS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

Mati V. Salanoa

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE WITH AN EMPHASIS IN PRE-LAW

Merieni U. Malaeto

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE WITH AN EMPHASIS IN VISUAL ART

Leizel G. Estrada Penalosa

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE — ACCOUNTING

Nostalgia T. Aitatoto, Sulufaleese Edelweiss-Maranatha Matai, Etevise Savelio, So’otaga V. Utu, Nancy L. Vaeao

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE — AGRIBUSINESS

Evielynn-Deidra S. Fetuao

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE — ARCHITECTURAL DRAFTING

Naoiailagi T. Senio

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE — AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Lotoa Lotoa Jr., Dimitrius J. Mauga, Roger A. Sagaga, Charity MDM Tu’u

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE — BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Luis L Lafaele, Athena S. Shalhout, Po’a I. Sialo’i, Valencia S. Tinae, Suluao A.F. Uti

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE — CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

Tinou F. Laulu, Agahpay L. Manase, Princess F. Mose, Sonya M. Papali’i, Charlize L. Vaivai Tapusoa

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE — CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Edna T. Fano, Faitoaga Olo, Jr., Nu’useni N. Vaimoli

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE — GENERAL AGRICULTURE

Sofia Mafua

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE — HEALTH SCIENCE

Losalini V. Biukoto, Jenzel A. Cuisine, Tamasipani Fa’afoi, Falenaoti I. Mageo, Geraldine M. A. Ofisa

ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE — MARINE SCIENCE

Perosiomelemaofeira Vaofanua

AMERICAN SAMOA COMMUNITY COLLEGE BACHELOR OF EDUCATION — ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

Motusalaia S. Danielson, Tupemeleke S. Ieremia, Maria T. Tusi Ioane, Sola Malo, Delphina G. Sagatu, Tautala G. Seti, Ina S. Tupufia, Selita V. WooChing

COLUMBIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY — MASTER OF SCIENCE — OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH/ ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Ma’ave Luani

HARVARD UNIVERSITY:

BACHELOR OF ARTS — WOMEN, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY STUDIES

Gabrielle Tepora-Tauili’ili Langkilde

SOUTH UNIVERSITY:

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE — CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Eileen T. Adams

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA GLOBAL CAMPUS:

BACHELOR OF ARTS — EDUCATION STUDIES

Fogasaua T. Fa’apouli-Lesa

BACHELOR OF ARTS — HEALTH EDUCATION

Mariamere R. Tanu

BACHELOR OF ARTS — HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Quendolynn G. Eseroma

MASTER OF ARTS —  ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT

Alexander T. Fuata

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Selesitina S. Iosia

MASTERS OF ARTS — EDUCATION WITH SPECIALIZATION IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Keneti Sionesina

NORTH CENTRAL UNIVERSITY:

DOCTOR OF EDUCATION — SPECIALIZATION IN ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Evile F Feleği

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

While ASCC does not highlight their Summa Cum Laude (Cum GPA 3.90- 4.00), Magna Cum Laude (Cum PSPA 3.75- 3.89) and Cum Laude (Cum GPA 3.50- 3.74), graduates do receive recognition.

For 2021, there are two, who received Summa Cum Laude — Judith S. Liu and Valencia S. Tinae; three Magna Cum Laude — Nu’useni N. Vailmoli, Jenzel A. Cuison,  and Geraldine M. A. Ofisa; and there are 10 Cum Laude — Lily Lauina, Silivelia L. Robertson, Melanie A. Solaita, Sabrina K. Uti, Vanessa S.T. Young, Tinou F. Laulu, Agahpay L. Manase, Jenzel A. Cuison, Perosiomelemaofeira Vaofanua and Motusalaia S. Danielson.

PTK Honor Society graduates are: Lily Lauina, Lolua Leomiti, Judith S. Liu, Silivelia L. Robertson, Sabrina K. Uti, Vanessa S.T. Young, Naoiailagi T. Senio, Tinou F. Laulu, Jenzel A. Cuison, Geraldine M.A. Ofisa and Perosiomelemaofeira Vaofanua.

George Malaki is the only one this year who graduated with two degrees,  — Associate of Arts Degree- Liberal Arts and Associate of Arts Degree with an Emphasis in Human Service.

Student Government Association (SGA) graduates are: Lolua Leomiti, Josua H. Reed, Lannette T .Martinez, Rachelle L. Toleafoa,  Naoiailagi T. Senio, Tamasipani Fa’afoi, Geraldine M.A. Ofisa and Perosiomelemaofeira Vaofanua