Dear Editor,

Fifty years ago, 30 high school students from Samoana High School and 6 chaperones, left American Samoa headed for New York for six months to live and entertain at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, Polynesian Pavilion.

In today’s global digital age of Selfies, You-Tube, Twitter, FB, etc., it may not seem like a big deal, but to all of us who attended, it was an opportunity of a lifetime. We were strangers who came together over months of grueling dance training at home, first plane ride, then lived together for six months as one family in an extraordinary environment.

We all truly respected each other — we were brothers and sisters and our chaperones kept us safe as they were our fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, teachers, and grandparents — they had their hands full.

I would like this letter to be an open invitation to all members of our group, their children and grandchildren to please visit the Jean P. Hayden Museum sometime this year and reminisce with them about this unique time in our life.

The museum has a photo album with news clippings both from New York and American Samoa, if anyone has any mementos to add to the alum, I’m sure the museum will gladly accept it.

I am forever humbled that I was honored to be one of the troupe.

Much Aloha.

[signed]

Mary Chanel

(Mele Sahele as it was translated in NY)