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Filemoni-Tofaeono on her way to England this summer

Luiama Talei Filemoni-Tofaeono
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Pacific Horizons (PHS) continues to maintain its international academic caliber. A couple of PHS high school students have received scholarships to study abroad this summer.

Luiama Talei Filemoni-Tofaeono, a 14-year-old sophomore at PHS will be heading out to England. She received a scholarship to study at Oxford Royale Academy.

She is the first PHS student - if not the first from American Samoa - to attend a British academy for summer school.

Luiama Talei begins her own academic journey off island, following in the footsteps of her parents.

Her dad Ama’amalele Tofaeono was the first Samoan to receive a PhD with honors in Theology from a university in Germany.

He is a world-class scholar and a leading Pacific theologian, as classified by his university peers. Her mom, Joan Aleluia Filemoni-Tofaeono just completed her second PhD from Auckland University, New Zealand, and she is the first Pacific and Samoan theologian/clergy with two doctorates.

Luiama hails from Siumu, Saleaaumua, Vailu’utai in Samoa, and Leone and Fitiuta in American Samoa. Both her parents are former students of Leifiifi Intermediate and Samoa College.

Her family is very humbled by this blessing and they give credit to God for the opportunities the daughters and sons of Samoa have, to further their education outside the territory.

A letter from Oxford Royale Academy to Luiama Talei last month confirmed that her application has been successful, and the school has offered her a full scholarship.

“You should be very proud of this achievement, the field of Samoan applicants was very strong. Well done,” the letter said.

Malo lava Luiama Talei!