First time local gov’t to fund JSA student scholarships
Twenty-four local high school students left the territory last Thursday, June 6, 2013 to take part in the Junior Statesmen Summer Program at Stanford & Princeton University and for the first time, in Beijing China.
Samoa News was on hand at the awarding of the JSA “scholarships”, in the Governor’s Office last Thursday, where Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga announced that only five students were picked by the Dept. of Interior, who funds this program annually. However, for the first time, the American Samoa Government will fund 19 more students this year, for tuition only. Transportation, room and board will be financed by the students and their parents.
According to an email from DOI’s local office, DOI funding for the five students includes travel, tuition, room and board.
The five DOI scholarship recipients are:
Motu Sipelii, Samoana High School, who will be attending Stanford University
Sophia Vaeoso, Samoana High School, will be attending Princeton University
Nerisa Taua, Tafuna High School, will be attending Stanford University
Lindsey Laupola, South Pacific Academy, will be attending Princeton University
Pearl Tuiasosopo, Tafuna High School, will be attending the Beijing Diplomat Program.
The 19 ASG scholarship recipients are:
Full Tuition Scholarships ($4,750)
1. Atamai Tuiolosega - Junior - Pacific Horizons High School
2. Lelei Tago - Junior - Manumalo Baptist High School
3. Aidan King - Junior - Fa'asao Marist High School
4. Johnson Tuiletufuga - Junior - Leone High School
5. Alisa Sao - Junior - Leone High School
6. Rakiiba Va'alele - Sophomore - Samoana High School
Partial Tuition Scholarships ($3,000)
7. LenNora Poasa - Junior - Kanana Fou High School
8. Seung Ju Myung - Freshman- South Pacific Academy
9. Laumua Mano - Junior - Leone High School
10. Taisi Kulberg - Junior - Samoana High School
11. Elena Jacabo - Sophomore - Faga'itua High School
12. Renee Leifi - Sophomore - Samoana High School
Partial Tuition Scholarships ($2,000)
13. Jared Afalava - Sophomore - Kanana Fou High School
14. Vaganafetalai Mamea - Sophomore - Samoana High School
15. Frank Papu - Freshman - Samoana High School
16. Isidro Balza - Sophomore - Manumalo Baptist High School
17. Crystal Ta'ale - Junior - Faga'itua High School
Full Tuition Scholarship to Beijing Diplomat Program ($5,500)
18. Alefa Afalava - Senior - Iakina Adventist Academy
Partial Tuition Scholarship to Beijing Diplomat Program ($3,000)
19. Tommi Jones - Senior - Samoana High School