Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Leone High School, home of the Lions, held its 57th Commencement ceremony last week Thursday, June 15 on campus. It started with a procession to the song, “A Million Dreams” sung by Angelyn Aumua, Ilalio Sefika, and Tarafina Faasavalu.

The Class of 2023 musical selection was followed with a prayer offered by Rev. Taua Vaitogi of the Poloa Methodist Church.

The almost 2-hour ceremony was led by Master of Ceremonies, LHS Principal Leo’o Dr. Patrick Danielson.

Special guests included Gov. Lemanu P. S. Mauga, ASDOE Acting Director Folausaua Faafetai Teofilo, ASG Scholarship Board Representative Rev. Matthew Failauga, and keynote speaker Bishop Kolio Tumanuvao Etuale of the Samoa- Pago Pago Diocese.

The ceremony was a joyous celebration that had Principal Danielson reminding the crowd to hold off sounding horns and loud cheers in order to have a ‘respectable’ ceremony — not taking away from the accomplishments of the graduating class.

Gov. Lemanu delivered special remarks asking that the graduates “do not take for granted all those who have put in the work to prepare you all for this day, also don’t forget your parents and their efforts in making sure that you had the best education, and that you had what they didn’t have.”

He concluded by commending the students for their outstanding accomplishments.

“I commend each and every one of you, and congratulate you for all of your achievements; your hard work and perseverance has brought you to this day.

“Give the glory and praise to God,” encouraged Governor Lemanu.

The Class of 2023’s theme was “The world awaits” and was the focus of Bishop Kolio Tumanuvao Etuale’s keynote address in which he asked the 124 graduates, “Why is the world waiting for you?”

Answering for the graduate, the Bishop said, “The world waits for your talents, it waits for your gifts, waits for your mind and your knowledge, waits for you and what decisions you’re going to make.

“But the world, it is fierce and unkind, it is likened to that of a lion,” and reminded the graduates of the tools they have on hand to help them in ‘this world’.

He said, “…in pursuing and exploring the world, always remember to put God first, while the world waits.

“And by putting God first, you need to pray, pray for the gift of faith, pray for the gift of hope and pray for the gift of love.

“These are instruments that you can use to fight this battle with the world that is waiting for you.

“How wonderful it would be, for a young man and a young woman to be called a faithful person, a person of faith, as you know that faith helps you to open up everything in your life, where the impossible becomes possible.”

LHS recognized three students as its top achievers — two Valedictorians and one Salutatorian.

Co-Valedictorian was May Sinapati of Puapua.

Ms. Sinapati's dream is to join the U.S. military and become an officer, and then return home to become an entrepreneur.  She was secretary for the Taumafai National Honor Society, Historian for student council, and was awarded Offensive Player of the Year for the girl’s basketball team, for which she was also its captain. Ms. Sinapati has been awarded a $26,000 scholarship from St. Martin's University in Lacey, Washington.

Sharing honors is co-Valedictorian, Ms. Aumau Peneueta Taala from Poloa.

She is looking at joining the military in order to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice. Ms. Taala has acceptance letters from Metropolitan State University of Denver, University of Portland and the Citadel — the Military College of South Carolina.

The only Salutatorian, Ms. Annamarie Luteru of Mesepa.

She hopes to become a cyber-security officer in the U.S. military in the near future. She has received a scholarship from Southern New Hampshire University in Hooksett, New Hampshire.

Acting ASDOE Director Teofilo confirmed and accepted the 124 graduates of Leone High school Class of 2023 with senior class advisors Elizabeth Bartley-Faataitai and Arykah Fonoti.

In addition of the recognition of its top achievers, LHS also acknowledgement its Top 9 students: Fuatai Marieta Iosefo, Ifolagi Miracle Matalala Meatuai, Adonai Selbyno Brunt Tinae, Celestine Rosalio Chantel Mao, Ellery Ali’imau Save, Taualupe Kolone Nonu, Lupelelefoimaitalitalilauipu Mai Tu’ufuli, Setoaosamoaitafaotaua Michael Mapu, and Tumanu-o-aiga-tapu-ole-satele Margret Langi.

The following achievements were awarded:

Male Citizenship — Setoaosamoaitafaotaua Mapu;

Female Citizenship — Aumau Ta’ala;

Highest SAT score and Highest ASVAB score — Setoaosamoaitafaotaua Mapu;

Female Scholar Athlete — Fuata’i Marieta Iosefo;

Male Scholar Athlete — Setoaosamoaitafaotaua Mapu;

Female Athlete — Tarafina Faasavalu;

Male Athlete — Malouamaua Ino II;

Male Leadership — Setoaosamoaitafaotaua Mapu;

Female Leadership — Fuata’i Iosefo; and,

Rotary Four-Way test — Setoaosamoaitafaotaua Mapu.