Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In what has become a tradition at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC), early in each spring and fall semester the ASCC-based Alpha Epsilon Mu chapter of the nation-wide Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society holds its induction ceremony for new members. The PTK chapter’s most recent induction took place on Monday, September 9, welcoming 23 ASCC students into the ranks of the prestigious honor society as their family and friends joined them in the College’s Multi-Purpose Auditorium to celebrate the achievement.

Representing the ASCC administration at the event were President Dr. Rosevonne Pato; Vice President of Academic, Community and Student Affairs Dr. Letupu Moananu, Vice President of Administration and Finance Mr. Sonny Leomiti; Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Siamaua Ropeti; and Director of Institutional Effectiveness Mr. Tauvela Fale.

For each induction ceremony, the PTK invites an influential member of the community to make a keynote speech emphasizing the honor society’s core value of service to others.

For the fall 2024 induction, ASCC and PTK alumnus Mr. Don Maifala provided the keynote speech. While at ASCC, Maifala participated in both the PTK and the Student Government Association, including a time as its president. He graduated in 2022 with an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts, then took a two-year break from his studies to serve a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints in Melbourne, Australia.

Maifala was next accepted to Brigham Young University-Hawaii on a full scholarship, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English in 2016. That same year, he returned home to teach English at Samoana High School, then, along with his wife, relocated to Utah in 2018, where he served in multiple capacities with different secondary institutions as an Admissions Counselor while also actively involved in the financial industry as an independent contractor. He earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration, Government and Policy from Grand Canyon University, Arizona in 2020. Maifala has recently returned home, and is currently the Events and Marketing Specialist for the American Samoa Visitors Bureau.

Maifala’s speech began with an anecdote from childhood about washing dishes, or more specifically, his mother’s reaction on the one occasion he opted to forego that assigned chore. “I immediately regretted this decision when I heard the dishes fly out the back door,” he recalled. Among the choice words his mother had for him was the simple question, “Who’s gonna do it?” This same question entered his mind years later in 2016, when he heard about the shortage of teachers in American Samoa. A sense of needing to serve led Maifala to give up a well-paying job in Alaska and take up his teaching job with Samoana, where at first he had to hold his classes outdoors under a tree due to a lack of available classrooms. Bringing the idea of “Who’s gonna do it?” to the here and now, Maifala reminded the new PTK inductees, “You see, you are now a part of an elite group, members of a society that is preparing you to become leaders. American Samoa needs you, and the future generation is looking up to you.”

Following Maifala’s address, the PTK Officers led the new inductees through the traditional candle-lighting, which allowed for the introduction of each new member, followed by the group recitation of the society’s oath of allegiance. This semester, the PTK welcomed inductees Heleina Maria Lucille Willis, Gordon Toala, Marcus Anesone Faamafi Tunupopo, Hadassah Mageo-Umi, Mavy Fetu Tuipala, Raymond Tulafono III, Ronia Faumui, Naomi Faleafa, Lucille Mareko, Dorrin Tuisamatatele, Mehitabelle Aiono, Marc Tipa Peretania Peratania, Nais-Perlas Faalili Vaivai, Elisha Akeli, Christology Taofi, Ariana Flora Taatasi, Titilupe Nuusila Solomona, Savalialetoa Barbara Ape, Salevai Misi, Lelei Fuiava, Grace Tuiolemotu Nai, Junina Lauline Suaalii, and Shalom Vaimoe Tafili.

Established by Missouri two-year college presidents in 1918, the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society serves to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and provide opportunities for individual growth and development through honors, leadership and service programs. In 1929, the American Association of Community Colleges recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges. Currently, Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American education today, with more than two million members and 1,200 chapters located in the 50 states and US territories, Canada and Germany.

At ASCC, the society’s Alpha Epsilon Mu chapter is overseen by lead advisor Mr. Kuki Tuiasosopo, and faculty advisors Dr. Ernie Seiuli, Mrs. Amete Mulipola-Moefiainu and Mrs. Adrien Vasai-Moana. PTK Officers for spring 2024 are Daphne Puni (President), Moirah Tia(Vice President), Monica Maeataanoa (Secretary),  Sedzaeda Tiatia (Treasurer), and Ashley Lualua(PR Secretary). For more information on PTK activities and opportunities across the nation, visit their website: www.ptk.org.