Former and current students of Leone High School are preparing for the school’s Golden Jubilee, celebrating 50 years since the first graduating class received their diplomas back in 1965.

Working under their motto: “Unity is our Strength” the alumni members have been busy trying to get things together for the week-long festivities that are set for later this year, from October 12-17.

According to Ti’a Reid, Public Relations Subcommittee Chair, as of last week, over 250 people have registered through the online registration system. “We understand that not everyone has internet access, so we hope to extend registration to some physical locations for all of our local alumni,” he said.

This Friday, an “Islandwide Alumni Registration & Donation Drive” is planned, to register all of the local alumni “for the purpose of planning for the 50th anniversary and also to continue to build our LHS Alumni Association database,” Reid explained. “Being registered in our database will allow us to more easily keep registered alumni in the loop with current and upcoming events in store for the Association. Registration will also assist us with the planning for this special milestone to take place October 12-17th.”

A $20 Lifetime LHS Alumni Association Membership Fee is required to become an ‘Official Member’ and the funds will go toward Association administrative costs and expenses.

Reid continued, “We also want to let the community know that we are accepting any generous donations to ensure its success. Although it is specifically geared towards Leone High School alumni, there have been so many important people, administrators, and teachers who may have not graduated from Leone High School but have played an integral role in what Leone High School has become over the years. So in many ways we're approaching this as somewhat of a community event as it, for many, was also much like a second home to residents of various villages in the surrounding areas.”

For this year’s special event, a logo competition was held and opened to all current and former students of Leone High School. Over twenty designs were submitted but due to certain requirements, only thirteen were approved and put up for vote on the Leone Lions’ Facebook polls.

“From there, we narrowed it down to three finalists and ultimately, Mamaitaloa Samuelu of the Class of 1984 was chosen by the committee,” Reid shared.

The Golden Jubilee celebrations will entail nearly an entire week of events and activities which will include a special prayer service, the Leone High School Beautification Project, Career Day, the “kick-off party of the decades”, Family Fun Night, the official 50th anniversary celebration day which will feature a parade, entertainment, Samoan siva performances, and supporting the Lions football game that week.

The festivities will culminate with the Golden Jubilee Formal Ball to be held at the Tradewinds Hotel, poolside pavilion.

When asked if the organizing committee has been able to track down any original members of the first graduating class of 1966, Reid proudly said that they have been able to locate one: local meteorologist Leilua Mase Akapo.

Reid said, “We would definitely love for ALL of the local alumni to take part in this special occasion and most definitely have plans to recognize the graduates from the 60's who were there for an important part of our territory's educational history and were present as Leone High School first opened its doors to the public.”

He concluded, “We are extremely excited and have been meeting since the beginning of the year.  We would appreciate the assistance of all of our alumni, especially the members of the community. So please stop by this Friday or Saturday and register yourselves at any one of our locations.”

As of last week, almost all of the classes have been represented, except for the Class of ’67 and ’69 although efforts are being made to contact them.

More information on the upcoming 50th anniversary celebration can be obtained by contacting committee president Pogia Palaita Tusipasi Suiaunoa, vice president Tapumanaia Galu Satele Jr., secretary Salima Eucharist Reupena, and treasurer Lydia Faleafine-Nomura.

(See ad in right hand column for more information on Friday’s Drive)