FHS handmade ornaments make their Christmas debut
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — When the 2018 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony took place November 28th on the Ellipse at President’s Park in the nation's capital, American Samoa was right in the middle of it all, represented through colorful handmade ornaments produced by art students from Faga'itua High School.
Fifty six schools from across the country were tasked with creating one-of-a-kind ornaments and Fagaitua High School was selected to create handcrafted ornaments to adorn a smaller tree — representing American Samoa — with 55 other smaller trees that surround the National Christmas Tree. There are 56 trees in total, representing each U.S. state, territory, and the District of Columbia as part of the “America Celebrates” display.
Co-presented by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation, the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is celebrating its 96th year.
FHS school principal Suaese "Pooch" Taase was notified via email by Ulandis Hill and the entire 2018 America Celebrates Ornaments Display Team that the "National Christmas Tree Display looks great, and it’s truly because of all of you that we are able to put on such a great display this year. We want to thank you for all of the hard work, time, and effort you have put into making this project a success."
According to thenationaltree.org, each ornament from across the USA and its territories is "a work of art."
"Every year, one-of-a-kind ornaments are made by ordinary Americans, representing every U.S. state, territory, and the District of Columbia. These artists give their time and talents to design and create ornaments that symbolize the history, heritage, and culture of their homelands. The America Celebrates display, which surrounds the National Christmas Tree, is free and open to visitors throughout the month."
Fagaitua High School produced a total of 24 ornaments which the students decorated themselves. Of the American Samoa ornaments, thenationaltree.org notes that "some had tropical scenery of the islands, others had cultural traditional symbolism of the islands. Others were mixed with the western and the island traditional. The students took ownership and pride in their projects as a first time experience."
The 6th period FHS Fine Arts class students who took the lead for the project are: Ekuale Vili, Ese Clara, Reuben Finauga, Andrew Keli, Eseta Leituane, Kevin Lopesi, Fa’afetai Maugana’i, Galuefa Rarotonga, Nauvoo, Seuava, Mark Seumanutafa, Siatumotu Taala, Namualii Toala, Derrick Togafau, Fau Tuifaiga, and Lomani Uiagalaelei.
According to Fagaitua HS, "The process was challenging," being that the students are in a remote location; "but all in all, it was a well worth it experience for our students...at the national level. Fa’afetai tele lava."