Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The chapel at Manumalo Baptist Church was full of smiles — and tears — as parents, family members, and friends gathered yesterday morning to witness the graduation of eight seniors, the Class of 2019.

Paramount Builders, a local company, prides itself in promoting education and honoring the achievements of the territory’s youth with this year’s sponsorship of graduation coverage.

The event included congratulatory remarks and words of encouragement from Acting Governor Lemanu Sialega Palepoi Mauga. The opening prayer was offered by Pastor Lemmy Seumanu and Manumalo High School principal Tiana Trepanier welcomed the crowd with brief remarks.

This year, the highest honor went to Hewlitt De Lara — class valedictorian — who received a $104,000 scholarship to attend the University of Portland.

Valedictorian Hewlitt De Lara

The salutatorian honor was shared by Aitulagi Alofa and Ben Schuster, the only two local high school students who will be heading out to United States Military Academies: the Naval Academy for Alofa and the Air Force Academy for Schuster.

Co-Salutatorian Aitulagi Alofa

Co-Salutatorian Ben Schuster

Those in the audience yesterday were treated to inspiring poems and beautiful songs, performed by the graduates. It was De Lara and Alofa who spoke on behalf of the graduating class.

In addition to the Top Three awards, other special awards were presented by JROTC Senior Army Instructor SFC Lepuapua Taliau; DOE scholarship office representative Donna Gurr; and Pulu Ae Ae Jr. and Fua Fuatagavi on behalf of American Samoa Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen.

Director of Education, Dr. Ruth Matagi-Tofiga, in her remarks, spoke highly of Manumalo Academy students, and their academic achievements, especially the graduating class. She said the group consistently took top honors in territorial high school competitions, and based on tabulations by DOE, Manumalo High School students tend to top the ranks.

She also pointed out that the 8 graduates have been offered nearly $1 million worth of scholarship awards from various colleges and programs.

In his remarks, Manumalo Academy director Papalii Laulii Alofa said the achievements of the Class of 2019 are the highest ever in the school's history — raising the bar to a higher level — and the success is the result of the government, especially DOE and private schools, working together to reap better results.

He also thanked the parents of the graduates, who forked out thousands of dollars each school year in tuition costs, and said he hopes they are satisfied with how their hard earned money was spent.

Congratulations Class of 2019, Home of the Flames:

             Hewlitt De Lara — Valedictorian

• University of Portland ($104,000)
• Chaminade University ($52,000)
• DOE scholarship (off island)

            Aitulagi Alofa — Co-Salutatorian

• United States Naval Academy
• Baylor University
• Chaminade University ($52,000)
• Masters University
• University of California, Davis
• University of California, Irvine
• University of California, Merced
• University of California, Riverside
• Unicersity of California, San Diego
• DOE scholarship (off island)

            Ben Schuster — Co-Salutatorian

• United States Air Force Academy
• Chaminade University ($52,000)
• Northern Arizona University ($36,000)
• University of Oregon ($40,000)
• Southern Oregon University
• University of California, Davis
• University of California, Irvine
• University of California, Merced
• University of California, Riverside
• University of Santa Cruz ($40,000)
• University of Hawaii, Manoa
• University of Utah ($40,000)
• Washington and Jefferson College ($32,000)
• Washington Lee University
• Washington State University ($40,000)
• Westmont Private College ($88,000)
• Full Army ROTC scholarship
• DOE scholarship (off island)

            Talalelei Auvaa

• Washington State University ($40,000)
• Bucknell University
• Chaminade University ($52,000)
• Gonzaga University
• Massachusetts College of Art and Design
• Northern Arizona University
• Southern Oregon University
• University of Denver
• University of California, Merced
• University of California, Davis
• University of Santa Cruz
• Air Force ROTC scholarship (3 years)
• Army ROTC scholarship (2 years)
• DOE scholarship (off island)

            Koneferinisi Purcell

• Chaminade Universuty ($52,000)
• American University of Paris
• Hawaii Pacific University ($24,000)
• Saint Mary's College of California ($76,000)
• Southern Oregon University
• University of California, Riverside
• University of Las Vegas ($36,000)

            Komisi Suani

• University of California, Davis
• Chaminade University ($52,000)
• Southern Oregon University
• University of California, Riverside
• University of Santa Cruz ($25,000)
• DOE scholarship (ASCC)

            Raquel Mamea

• Evergreen State College ($24,000)
• Chaminade University ($52,000)
• Cypress Community College
• Saint Martin's University ($80,000)
• Southern Oregon University
• University of California, Irvine
• University of California, Davis
• University of Colorado, Boulder ($55,000)
• University of California, Berkeley
• Westminster ($88,000)
• DOE scholarship (off island)

            Yolanda Masunu

• American Samoa Community College
• Southern Oregon University
• DOE scholarship (ASCC)