Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — This year, home of the Navigators, Pacific Horizons School held their 18th Annual Commencement ceremony last week, on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at the Malaeimi Stake Center. There were 11 graduates, who were welcomed to the evening ceremony by PHS leadership, teachers & staff, and special guests, which included Lt. Gov. Talauega E. V. Ale, as well as families and friends of the graduates.

DOE Acting director Teresa Atuatasi and the Lt. Governor presented the graduates with their diplomas and special awards during the ceremony.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Suluai-Mahuka, who was the 2021 Territorial Teacher of the Year. She is a graduate of Samoana High School and the ASCC, and obtained a Masters in curriculum studies in 2016 from the University of Hawaii, Manoa. She was recognized through a 2022 Educator Innovation Award for creatively teaching students about climate change and empowering them to be stewards of our blue planet. In her keynote address she encouraged the graduates to take charge of the own lives and create their own paths on their journey.

2023 PHS’ highest honors went to Valedictorian Ms. Bianca Alena Perez Serrano and Salutatorian Mr. Addyelle Kein Jagon Dizon. Both gave addresses to the Class of 2023 during the ceremony.