Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is delighted to congratulate the winners of the Malofie Congressional Art Competition for this year, and express appreciation to all the participating students, their teachers, this year’s expert judges, and the sponsors that make this opportunity possible for our students.

This year’s first-place winner is Deborah Vaiotu of Tafuna High School for her beautiful art titled “Motherhood.” This first-place art will be displayed for a year at the U.S. Capitol! She has also won a trip to Washington, D.C. to join all the other winners from the other congressional districts.

Congratulations also to Talanoa Lagafuaina of Tafuna High School, who is both second-place and third-place winner, with his art titled “Grandfather” and “Pale Fuiono.” Talanoa earned the DC trip last year, and shared his experience with the assembled art students.

Second place in the Congressional Art Competition is titled “Grandfather” [courtesy photo]

Third place in the Congressional Art Competition is titled Pale Fuiono [courtesy photo]

“I am thrilled to congratulate the winners, and this entire group of 25 wonderful efforts!” said Congresswoman Amata. “I am delighted Congress can take part in promoting art in this way, but the event is made possible by our local generous sponsors and the time of our local artist judges and American Samoa’s educators.”

“I will enjoy seeing this beautiful first-place art displayed in the U.S. Capitol where thousands of people might see it in just one busy week in Washington. I’m so proud of the quality and effort and creativity of this year’s entire group, and every single one deserves praise.”

Each year, Congresswoman Amata and her local office work in partnership with the American Samoa Department of Education to select the top three standouts, and determine one to represent American Samoa in Washington. Any of American Samoa’s public and private high schools are invited to send entries for the competition.

Each participant will receive a plaque from Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, and received various prizes from sponsors. Congresswoman Amata extends her warmest fa’afetai to the many businesses and individuals who donated and helped make this year’s Congressional Art Competition special for the students.

WINNERS FOR THE CONGRESSIONAL ARTS COMPETITION

1^st  Ms. Deborah Vaiotu – Tafuna High School — “Motherhood”

2^nd Mr. Talanoa Lagafuaina – Tafuna High School — “Grandfather”

3^rd Mr. Talanoa Lagafuaina – Tafuna High School — “Pale Fuiono”

JUDGES

Executive Director Mr. Ammon Fepulea’i – Department of American Samoa Arts Council

Mr. Trevor Kaituu – Local Artist & Coral Reef Education and Outreach Coordinator

OCI Program Director Mr. Voloti Malietoa. — Art Department for DOE

PARTICIPANTS

Manumalo Baptist Academy

Director Ms. Veronica Occena

Instructor: Ms. Pearl Mendoza

Student: Rachael Park

Pacific Horizon School

Director Ms. Veronica Sooto

Instructor Ms. Cassandra Garcia

Student: Mikaela Ruth Dane

Tafuna High School

Principal Mrs. Tutuila Togilau

Art Instructor: Mr. Raymond Keleti

Students:

Hina Tuinei

Namelia Leokina Paulo

Deborah Vaiotu

Helen Ah Ping

Talanoa Lagafuaina

Leone High School

Principal Mr. Patrick Danielson

Art Instructor: Mr. Tony Esau

Students:

Mathew Vui

Logoipulotu Ape

Isileli Taliauli

Princess Vaoga

Evaselita Tevita

Taliloa Ioselani

Heilala Ikuvalu

Faatili Taofinu’u

Tauiai Sooalo

Felix Kuresa

Samoana High School

Principal Jemima Te’o

Art Instructor: Mr. Barry Patane

Students:

Vaelani Junior Vaiuta

Baja Schuster

Polito Tatupu

Asherayne J Romero

Stephen Lee

Fiatamalii Esera