Students, parents and faculty at Pava’i’a’i Elementary School dedicated a new school sign on Friday— a beautiful rock wall structure— a project of the Tongan community who are members of the school’s Parent-Teacher-Association.

Pava’ia’i Elementary School is the largest public elementary school in American Samoa and its new school sign proudly boasts it is the Home of the Falcons.

According to school Vice Principal Delegato Gafatasi Malouamaua Kaydolynn Fuimaono, construction of the new school sign was funded by the Social Committee.

The committee is led by Alvin Mamea (Chairperson), Elena Leota (Co-Chairperson), Rosita Magalasin (Secretary/ Treasurer) and all mentors at the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Center to Level 8.

The committee received funding for the project through the school’s Christmas Program that was hosted by the Social Committee last December, explained Fuimaono.

“As last month was designated as Parental Involvement in Education Month here in American Samoa, the Tongan Community in Pava’ia’i, under the leadership of Reverend Unga Havea, was in charge of reconstructing the school sign as their parental project for the school,” Fuimaono added. “The project was in construction for three weeks.”

Carpenter on the project was Steven Mahe and parents from the Tongan community.

Department of Education Mid-west division leaders Anesi Poloa and Elia Savali were among the invitees.

Speakers included Pava’ia’i Principal Kerupi Moi, Pava’ia’i Village Mayor Mayor Mr. Seuta’atia Toluao and Rev. Unga Havea.

Songs were provided by the Pava’ia’i Elementary School Choir.

The ribbon was cut by a Tongan Community representative, Mrs. Mahe.

4 BOY SCOUTS PASS THEIR EAGLE SCOUT BOARD OF REVIEW

Four Boy Scouts— Ammon Autele, Elliot Peters, Charlie Ho-Ching and Daniel Esikia— have made a key step in a scout’s path to becoming an Eagle by recently passing the program’s Board of Review.

The young men, Scouts with Mesepa International Ward (MIW) Troop 350, have been working diligently over the past several years to complete their requirements needed to become part of the elite group known as Eagles within the Boy Scout Program, explains Scout mother Blanche Barber.

The BOR for Ammon, Elliot and Charlie was held last week, Wednesday, Mar. 3, 2010, while Daniel’s was held in Feburary.

The boys’ achievments come as the Boy Scouts of America celebrates its 100th Anniversary around the United States this year.

“Their journey began when they were 12-years old ...” added Barber. She notes that the boys are also members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Young Men’s program at MIW.

“[The] young men’s program and scouting program encourage the youth to learn and develop skills that will help them become better citizens and future leaders and to strengthen their callings as priesthood holders,” she said.

Barber says their dedication and perseverance culminated with the BOR during which each scout met with the members of the Executive Scouting Committee and were thoroughly interviewed on the merits of the program and what it has meant to them personally.

“To get to this point is not easy,” she said. “Each scout has to first earn the 21 required merit badges, advance in the program and then plan and do their own Eagle Scout projects. All projects must benefit the community.”

Ammon is the son of Andrew & Barbara Autele. His project involved working closely with Malama TV and the Department of Health to produce a video or Public Service Announcement on the H1N1 Influenza and how we can help stop the spread of this disease.

Elliot, the son of Christine Peters and the late Albert Peters, conducted an Emergency Preparedness Drill with LBJ Doctor Bouslough in testing the plan involving doctors and nurses of LBJ Hospital.

Charlie, the son of Ukulele and Ngaire Ho-Ching, worked closely with Dental Chief Dr. Stanley Gurr in renovating the dental clinic by painting the clinic area and adding bulletin boards and bookshelves at the main LBJ Dental Clinic in Faga’alu.

Daniel, son of Felipe and Linene Esikia, with guidance from the Rev. Faatui Laolagi, provided flag poles and flags for the South Pacific International Christian Center (SPICC) in Fatumafuti.

“On behalf of Bishop Miki Semo and the Troop, we extend our congratulations to the parents of these young scouts for remaining steadfast and not giving up,” said Barber, “may they continue to hold true to the values they have learned and always be honorable.”

Courts of honor during which the young men will receive their Eagle Scout pins will take place in the near future.

YOUTH AND WOMEN’S AFFAIRS’ MARIA FONOTI-PERETISO TO REP AM SAMOA AT SPC TRAINING

Maria Fonoti-Peretiso, a staff member of the Department of Youth and Women’s Affairs (DYWA) was nominated by its Director Leiataua Leuga A. Turner to represent American Samoa in a seven months training sponsored by SPC for women from its member countries, including American Samoa.

Fonoti-Peretiso, 23, has been working for DYWA for at least a year, assisting in all developmental projects for both youth and women— particularly projects such as the Lalaga Faatasi sewing and pillow case embroidery, Toe Timata Le Upega— teen mothers rehabilitation, counseling, skills training, and parenting, and Afa weaving/making. 

Mrs. Fonoti-Peretiso’s application has been accepted by SPC’s Community Education Training Center (CETC), under the guidance of Dr. Lia Maka.

She has been trained by the DYWA for approximately 16 months and she has been oriented to the vision, mission and work ethics of DYWA, according to the DYWA press release. “We believe that she can best represent ASG and the people of American Samoa being the first candidate for this post.”

“This is another milestone development for our youth and women population as this is the first time American Samoa is participating in this ongoing SPC training program,” the media release states.

The training program is scheduled for Mar. 15- Oct. 22, 2010 at Narere, Suva, at SPC’s CETC. The Applied Certificate in Community Development Studies is accredited under the Fiji Qualifications Framework and includes courses on community development and management, integrated agriculture, health and nutrition, households livelihoods, breads and pastry making, fabric art, tailoring, and other tech vocational skills courses.

The program costs FJD$ 8,580 which covers accommodation, tuition, meals, basic medical services and allowances and will be paid by SPC, while DYWA and ASG will pay for full return travel cost of participant, the release says.

Fonoti-Peretiso departs today for Fiji.