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Samoan student will be at Yale next summer for Springboard program

Madison Viligia Vo’a

Burleson, TEXAS — Madison Viligia Vo’a, 14, has been accepted to the Springboard Program at Yale University for summer 2020, where she will be studying medicine and health care. A freshman at Centennial High School in Burleson, Texas, Madison maintains a 4.05 grade point average.

She is the daughter of Gina Togafau Vo'a of Sa'ilele, and Tacoma Vo'a of Taputimu; and the granddaughter of Polapiitasi Talauega and Afatasi Togafau of Sa'ilele and Tafua, Savaii, and Lemasani and Viligia Taumua Vo'a of Olosega, Manu'a and Taputimu.

The Summer Springboard is designed for college-bound teens who want to get a first hand taste of campus living, learn more about their academic and career interests from real world experts, improve their personal leadership skills, and create their own unique pathway to happiness and success. Students from all over the world attend the program.

According to a family member, Madison’s passion is to help people and to one day travel to American Samoa to serve the local community. Her dream is to become a doctor - specifically a brain surgeon.

Madison loves to sing, play volleyball, and most of all, spend time with family. Her dream college after high school is Baylor University in Texas because they have one of the best medical schools.

 “Thank you God for your many blessings through our children. She is super excited for this experience and we are all happy for her as she takes on this journey. Fa'afetai le Atua mo ou fa'amanuiaga,” said her proud mother.