Last week Friday the Department of Public Works hosted a private ceremony for the four high school students selected to attend and study at the National Summer Transportation Institute (NSTI) at Virginia State University, in Petersburg, Virginia for 3- 4 weeks.

The four students are Morgan Ulu of Samoana High School, Casidhe Mahuka of Faasao Marist High School, Nichole Semeatu and Vini Sipili of Tafuna High School who were selected from 52 applicants.

Samoa News notes that all the recipients of the DPW summer studies award are female. We asked, and were told that out of the 52 applicants only 9 males applied.

The application process included a short essay on applicant’s interest in Engineering, Science, Transportation or Technology careers and how the program would benefit them and the community. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5-4.0; a letter of recommendation; and an interview rounded of the process.

According to Administrative Assistant of DPW Tanya Aab, the Department of Public Work receives their funds from the Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration through the Highway Department of Public Works, to send local students to the universities in the US for training.

She said, “the Highway Department of Public Works in Hawai’i has looked at the youth to use funding for study opportunities and it has been successful for the last 5 years.”

Aab said, “The hope is to get them to look at engineering, at all different aspects, especially that there are different areas in engineering. The Director and Chief Engineer of Civil Highway Division Siatu’u are very passionate about this, and getting new engineers, that is our downfall … we do not have many engineers to fill out the spots.”

She advised the four students to “never settle, always look, eyes wide open and go for it!”

During the ceremony, Director Faleosina Voigt welcomed the 4 students with their families who were in attendance. She expressed her excitement for the students, shared her experience in engineering and advised them to take advantage of this opportunity so they are able to come back and use it to better our community.

Sophomore, Morgan Ulu of Samoana High School told Samoa News during an interview, “It is definitely an honor to be an ambassador of American Samoa to be a part of this program. I thank Department of Public Works for giving us this opportunity to learn more about transportation and technology. Transportation is our lifeline in American Samoa, without it we won’t have businesses and able to bring in goods, supplies and services and also a way to get home, work and around.”

Morgan’s mother who accompanied her to the ceremony also expressed her excitement for her daughter. “Living in American Samoa is quite remote, affording our young people to travel to the States to be able to mingle with other kids and learn on these areas is a blessing. I am really excited for the government in providing these kind of opportunities for the young people to take advantage of,” she said.