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Congressional Art Competition

A look at the winning entry for the 2018 Malofie Congressional Art Competition, entitled "My Traditional Wear", submitted by Katie Godinet of Samoana High School. Amata and her staff, in partnership with the AS Dept. of Education and the SOFIAS, judged submissions earlier this month. [photo: courtesy]Congresswoman Aumua Amata with this year's Malofie Congressional Art Competition winner, Samoana High School's Katie Godinet.  [photo: courtesy]
Source: Office of the Congresswoman

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Aumua Amata announced the winners of the Malofie Congressional Art Competition. This year’s first place winner is Samoana High School’s Katie Godinet with her artwork entitled “My Traditional Wear.” The second place winner is Da In Myung of South Pacific Academy with her artwork entitled “My Flag—My American Samoa.” Third place honors were earned by Trish Buenavista of Fa’asao Marist High School with her artwork entitled “New Culture.”

The Congresswoman and her office worked in partnership with the American Samoa Department of Education and the Sosaiete o Fa’afafine in American Samoa (S.O.F.I.A.S) to select this year’s winner to represent American Samoa. The event was held on April 19, 2018, at DDW Restaurant in Utulei.

“It’s such a pleasure to see the individuality and expression in each of these artwork submissions,” said Aumua Amata. “Congratulations to our winners, who each gave us excellent art to consider. Thank you to every student who participated, and I hope you each enjoyed it as much as we did seeing your wonderful efforts.”

This is the fourth consecutive year the competition has been held in American Samoa. Each year, all the public and private high schools are invited to send entries for the competition. The participating high schools were Leone High School, Samoana High School, Iakina Academy, South Pacific Academy, Fa’asao Marist High School. In all, they sent 28 artists to compete.

Once again, Hawaiian Airlines is providing the round-trip ticket for the winner to the nearest airport in the U.S. used by Southwest Airlines, so the winner can travel on to Washington D.C., and join the banquet held for all the winners across the United States and its territories. Southwest Airlines has been a sponsor for the Congressional Art Competition for years and transports the winners to and from Washington D.C. for the celebration for free.

“I always enjoy seeing a touch of home displayed on the wall along the walkway from my office to the U.S. Capitol,” continued Congresswoman Amata. “I appreciate the good participation this year, and want to thank each of the parents and teachers, and the leadership of these fine schools. Thank you to our generous sponsors for making this opportunity possible, and sharing our community’s pride in these talented and motivated young people.”

Each participant received a Malofie t-shirt, a pencil case compliments of Bluesky, and a Congressional Certificate from Congresswoman Aumua Amata. The students with a Top 10 art submission received cash prizes, cases of wahoo, gift certificates sponsored by Happy World, and gift cards donated by Neil's ACE Home Center.

Congresswoman Aumua Amata extends her warmest fa’afetai to the following businesses and individuals who donated and helped make this year’s Congressional Art Competition a success:

Southwest Airlines

Ricardo da Rosa of Pacific Princess

DDW Restaurant

Island Business Center

Tutuila Print Shop

Blue Sky American Samoa

Neil's Ace Home Center

Happy World

Tuli Fruean and Hawaiian Airlines

Principals from each involved school, the teachers, parents, and all the participating students.