Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Paramount Builders is proud to sponsor coverage of all of the 2022 American Samoa High School Graduations, and wishes all graduates a successful journey into the future. Be Safe. The home of the Lions, Leone High School concluded its school year with 155 graduates. "E le'o le fale ae ole anofale"  (It’s not the house, it is its’ substance) is the theme selected by the graduating class as their theme for the class of 2022.

Leone High awarded it highest academic honors to three Co-Valedictorians and one Salutatorian.

Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga was the keynote speaker at the ceremony held on Wednesday at the Leone High School campus that also saw Congresswoman Uifa’atali Aumua Amata as one of the event’s special guests.

He commended the theme and outlined the differences between the residences of Chiefs, Talkings Chiefs, and High Chiefs and how each respective ‘fale’ or house represents a significant cultural element — that of ‘service’ (tautua).

"Each house relies on each other and [is] a reflection of our culture, whether those that serve the Chiefs, whether in the kitchen or in the village, the end result is the fact that each plays a role in serving."

He said the in-depth notion of the theme is service, which is the beginning of everything.

Adding that as students their service starts from within the kitchen and that is where you start your life serving as a young Samoan boy and girl, from in your families.

This is where you learn a lot of things, how to make the ‘umu’, the differences in all sorts of bananas, breadfruits, and forestry trees, but the whole gist is that you learn so much through service.

The program for the LHS graduation ceremony lists the top four students of the class.

The Co-Valedictorian is Ario Hopikson of Leone who is the daughter of Poloa Harry and Rosa Mana Galea'i Hopkinson.

Ario dedicates this honor to her grandparents the Late Niulaititi Harry Hopkinson Sr and Ario Hopkinson and the Late Faiivae Apelu Galeai and Fiatagata Galeai, according to the program.

"She credits her academic success to the discipline and strong work ethic developed at Samoa Baptist Academy, the Boys and Girls Club of American Samoa, her church, Siona Le Mauga Paia, and especially her second home, Leone High School.

"Upon graduating she will move to Washington to attend the University of Washington in the Fall."

Co-Valedictorian Maryann Tanuvasa, according to the program, is the daughter of Puleloto Aumua and Melesiana Tanuvasa and is from Leone Puapua.

She is a member of the Koluse Paia Catholic Church, under the spiritual guidance of Father Kelemete Pua'auli and Catechist Joseph and Christine Stowers.

Maryann acknowledged her grandparents, Fepuari and Rosina Lilo Peseta from Falealupo Savaii; Alaiasa Faialaga and Makerita Faumuina Tanuvasa from Nofoalii and Leone.

"Maryann's goal in life is to attend higher education and pursue a career in engineering, following her father's footsteps,” the program notes.

The third Co-Valedictorian listed is Vaafuti Vaafuit of Aoloau and Faleasiu, a member of the CCCAS Aoloau under the guidance of Revered Semo Tapaleao and Theresa Tapaleao.

"He dedicates all his achievements to his families, here and abroad, loved ones, friends and especially his Auntie Matalaoa Togiailua, Lufaga Togiailya and his late grandmother Telesia Togiailua.

"Upon graduating he plans to attend ASCC for two years before applying to a prestigious University of his choice, majoring in Accounting and Businesses Management,” according to the program.

Leone High School's Salutatorian is Maricia Chanel, the daughter of Victor and Winnie Chanel, and hails from the villages of Malaeloa and Ili'ili.

She is noted as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of the Leone 1st Ward under the guidance of Bishop Tagataese Afoa and Faletua Samataitai Afoa.

She expressed her gratitude towards her wonderful teachers and those who sought to support and help her throughout her high school journey,” the program points out.