Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — McDonald’s presented $36,000 in scholarships for the 2018-2019 academic year to 4 high school seniors to attend ASCC and 1 ASCC graduate to continue a degree program off-island.

McDonald’s scholarships are very competitive and each applicant must meet the required minimum GPA of 3.5, an SAT score of at least 1,000, and pass an extensive interview process with the Scholarship Board.

The off-island applicant must be accepted to a U.S accredited university. According to Scholarship Board Chairperson, Dolores Tautolo, “We received over 30 applications this year and the majority of these students are applying to help their parents lessen the burden on the cost of tuition.” It has been over 12 years since the establishment of this scholarship and McDonald’s has awarded over $460,000 to deserving local students.

Tautolo and board members congratulate the scholarship recipients and also the parents and teachers who work and make sacrifices to ensure these students succeed. A scholarship awards presentation hosted by McDonald’s was held at Fagatogo yesterday.

Scholarship award winners include 4 high school seniors going to ASCC ($4,000.00 each)

• Angel Amosa, Tafuna HS, majoring in nursing; daughter of Venetta & David Amosa of Vaitogi
• Aumaluoaiga Masunu, Manumalo Academy, marine science major; daughter of Yolanda Masunu of Tafuna
• Catherine Bernabe, Fa’asao Marist HS, psychology major; daughter of Rosecielo & Mariano Bernabe of Leone
• Louisa WooChing, Nuuuli Polytech HS, pre-law major; daughter of Mataniu & Tavo WooChing of Tafuna

US UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD $20,000

• Anastasia Magalo, majoring in Tropical Plant Science and Agroecology Specialization at UH Hilo; daughter of Talalelei & Matagi Magalo of Petesa.