MCDONALD’S ANNOUNCES THIS YEAR’S SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Four of the five McDonald’s American Samoa Scholarship recipients and their parents at yesterday's luncheon at the McDonald’s main office in Fagatogo. (l-r) front row: Angeline V. Maeli, Teuilafestival Lemisio, Talimeli Taufete’e, and Salamasina Aumua. Not pictured here is Anna I. Afoa. [photo: AF]

McDonald’s American Samoa officials yesterday announced this year's scholarship recipients at a luncheon hosted at their main office in Fagatogo.

For school year 2012-2013, McDonald’s awarded one off-island scholarship of $8,000 to Ms. Teuilafestival Lemisio, who is attending the University of Hawai’i at Hilo campus. Four scholarships each at $1,200 were awarded for the American Samoa Community College.

The ASCC student recipients are Talimeli Taufete’e of Tafuna High School; Anna I. Afoa of Samoana High School; Salamasina Aumua of Nuuuli Voc-Tech High School; and Angeline V. Maeli of Manumalo High School.

The McDonald’s Scholarship Board has presented $157,000 in scholarship funding for students in American Samoa since 2006.

McDonald’s American Samoa vice president Rep. Larry Sanitoa told recipients and their families that not every graduate in American Samoa qualifies for an ASG scholarship and there are families in the territory who cannot afford to provide sufficient money to pay for a higher education for a graduate student.

“And this is the reason Rep. Tautolo Charlie Tautolo, chief executive officer of McDonald’s American Samoa, decided to set up this scholarship program, which is to provide financial assistance to local students to attend college and when they graduate to return home and to serve our people and government,” said Sanitoa.

Dolores Tautolo-Galeai, chairperson of the McDonald’s American Samoa Scholarship Board offered congratulatory remarks to the graduates and wished them success in their future.

The meeting was also the opportunity for parents and recipients to sign off on scholarship agreements.