AMERICAN SAMOA -- Xavier Magic Tuipelehake- of the Auto Ward, Pago Pago Samoa Stake, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, received his Eagle Scout award at the Auto ward chapel this past Friday December 28, 2012. The Court of Honor was presided over by President Pekika Fanene of the Pago Pago Samoa Stake.

The ceremony was well attended by the Aloha Council’s local Boys Scout of America’s Executive Committee members overseen by Bishop Fiamatai Fiatau who is also the Aloha Council’s District Executive for the Territory of American Samoa.  Xavier is the son of the late Mr. Aila Tuipelehake and Mrs. Moli Frost Tuipelehake of the village of Amaua.

Xavier’s Eagle Project consisted of a book-drive to help fill the Tuato’o Alofau Elementary School library de-void of sufficient books enabling aspiring young students to seek and find the academic resources needed to complete research on personal issues of interest, and for book-report assignments for higher scholastic achievements.

Having attended Alofau- prior to Fagaitua High School- Xavier knew the calamitous need for more books enabling students to complete assignments and for the initiation of personal academic development. Thus, he sent out individual flyers and walked to all the local institutes of higher learning requesting their help by providing books to facilitate learning primarily for his previous Elementary school students, and secondly, to complete his Eagle Scout project requirement in order for him to receive the highest award possible issued by the Boy scouts of American (BSA).

Consequently, he was able to collect over a thousand books which were turned-over to the school Principal and the school librarian earlier this year.

The three keynote speakers selected by Xavier for his service were the forner Governor Tulafono T.A. Togiola who spoke on the success of the local territorial scouting’s Aloha Council  in administering the scouting program, compared nationally- on a per-capita basis.  He reported that American Samoa has more Eagle Scouts awarded annually than any other BSA council nationally.  Eagle projects here- are by far on a much larger scale- than any Eagle projects in other States or territories in the nation- barring none.

He then admonished Xavier to, “lift people around you in positive ways”.  He then added, “Just as the Eagle sours high in the heavens, you must also sour high in the service of people of the territory, your village, and your family”.  Finally, “Never wait for people to do good, but do well for your people…always working jointly with them to strengthen our community and our territory of American Samoa.”

President Tautu- the second keynote speaker encouraged Xavier to, “remember, always, serve God first in everything that you do, and be exemplary in those actions.”  President Tautu added, “The Eagle must never fold his wings to rest for too long, but continually search for the good of all in your community and territory.  For by serving the people you are essentially serving your God in Heaven”.

The third keynote speaker, President Sonny Aiono of the Pago Malaeimi Stake, a mentor to Xavier during his seminary years in High School, and is his current Institute teacher at ASCC also added, “just as the Eagle soars’ higher in the heavens with a perspective higher than other fowls of their class, so must your perspective be higher than others of your classmates.

Set your goals high and then go out to achieve them. Look to God, who is high above in the heavens and serve Him with all your heart, might, mind, and strength.  Put Him first and he will always remember to bless your life in all your endeavors.  You will always have in abundance the things that you will need to sustain you in all that you do.”

It was truly a night to remember not only for Xavier but all those present who witnessed this special event and especially the admonitions from the three key-note speakers.

Source: media release