Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The University of Hawaii, Manoa College of Education proudly conducted commencement ceremonies for a historic group on Saturday, June 23 at the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium.

Cohort 31, with 17 graduates, became the first-ever cohort in which all the graduates are from the islands of Manu’a — marking this milestone.

The graduating class consisting of 17 dedicated teachers receiving their Bachelors of Education degrees, and Mene Tauaa who has served as the lead Cohort 31 Coordinator was honored for this service as the Master of Ceremonies.

Joining them on stage was Tevita Pemerika Togia, currently Territorial Ecologist at American Samoa’s National Park, who received his Masters in Curriculum Education.

The landmark Manu’a group worked closely with Togia, who guided them through place-based assignments, using the National Park as backdrop for Science, Technology, English and Math (STEM) field trips.

The education journey for these Manu’a teachers began in 2015 through encouragement from ASDOE Deputy Director Faaui Vaitautolo, who is also a proud daughter of Manu’a. It was one of her career goals to accomplish this, as she has “a special place in her heart” for education there. Laura Laolagi worked closely with ASDOE across the semesters to schedule the courses required for this highly-ranked degree.

Dr. Deb Zuercher, the UH Manoa College of Education professor who has guided many Cohort groups over the years, including this pioneer group from Manu’a — said that it couldn’t have been accomplished without the full support and encouragement of Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga, (who is himself an educator and former Manu’a principal), as well as First Lady Cynthia Moliga and ASDOE Director Dr. Ruth Matagi-Tofiga. Indeed, Dr. Matagi-Tofiga is the first ASDOE Director to graduate a cohort of teachers from Manu’a.

Dr. Zuercher noted that it was due to these leaders’ unfailing support, as well as the strength and support of their families, that this graduation became a reality.

She said the teachers themselves showed true dedication, patience and perseverance, and in the end, it is their students — and the Territory — who will benefit from their journey.