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2019 Malofie Congressional Art Competition winners named

SHS art teacher Voloti Malietoa with Katie Godinet and her winning entry
Source: Office of the Congresswoman

Washington, D.C. —Congresswoman Aumua Amata is delighted once again to announce the winners of the Malofie Congressional Art Competition. This year’s first place contestant has the distinction of also being a previous winner. Congratulations to Katie Jewel Godinet from Samoana High School upon her first-place finish. She is the daughter of Katie Godinet of Pago Pago.

The second-place winner is MJ Matulino, son of Maeli and Lusia Maselino of Aua. Third-place honors were earned by Anthony Feala.

The Congresswoman and her office worked in partnership with the American Samoa Department of Education, their Office of Curriculum and Instruction (Art/Music), and Mr. Hailey Ripley and Mr. Sopoaga, with the support of Principal Rodrick Atafua and Samoana Art Teacher Voloti Malietoa. Thank you to each of them, along with all the students, who took part, and all the parents.

 “It’s beautiful to see these expressions through artwork,” said Aumua Amata. “Congratulations to our winners, you each did a great job. Thank you to every student who took time to learn more about art through this effort, and I hope you are building an appreciation for it. We love seeing your interest in art grow whatever your stage of development.”

This is the fifth consecutive year the competition has been held in American Samoa. Each year, any public and private high schools are invited to send entries for the competition. Judges this year were Ms. Naea Tasha Le Atio’o, Principal of Pago Pago Elementary School, and Ms. Athena Mauga, American Samoa Department of Education.

Thank you to all the sponsors in support of education and the arts: Paradise Restaurant for the venue; McDonald’s American Samoa, gift certificates; Happy World, gift certificates; Pala Lagoon and Ms. Nanaifanua Schwalger-Salanoa for donating ten free passes; U.S. Army Recruiting Team, American Samoa, for water coolers, water bottles and cups; StarKist, Inc, for 20 cases of Wahoo.

A special thank you to Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines. In support of education and the arts, Hawaiian Airlines provides the round-trip ticket for the winner to the nearest airport in the U.S. also used by Southwest Airlines, so the winner can then travel on to Washington D.C. with a ticket provided by Southwest Airlines. The winner will join the banquet held for all the winners across the United States and its Territories. Southwest Airlines has been a national sponsor for the Congressional Art Competition for years transporting the winners to and from Washington D.C. for the celebration for free.

“Any time I walk the art hallway from my office to the U.S. Capitol, I get to see this art and be reminded of home,” continued Congresswoman Amata. “I appreciate everyone who joined in, and thank you especially to the parents and teachers, and the Department of Education. Your role educating our young people is so important. Thank you to our generous sponsors because you make it all possible by supporting arts and education.”