What happened to the trophy and monetary gift for Leone High School’s Class of 2017 Valedictorian Ramona Tinae? That’s what a lot of her family members and friends are wondering.

During the seniors’ awards banquet held last week, a trophy and monetary gift provided by House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale was presented to LHS salutatorian Orlynn Ara, but apologies were offered to Tinae and her family, who were told that her trophy and envelope would be presented to her on graduation day.

However, graduation day came and went and as of press time yesterday, Samoa News confirmed that Tinae had still not received a trophy or envelope.

“It’s not about the money or anything like that,” said Tinae’s aunt who spoke to Samoa News yesterday. “Ramona worked hard to become valedictorian and she deserves it.”

She continued, “We just wanted the trophy so it can serve as a memory of her accomplishments. Our graduates should be treated fairly and if a trophy and gift are customary every year for the Top Two honors during graduation, why should she be treated differently?”

Samoa News contacted Leone High School for a comment yesterday.

According to a school official, the valedictorian trophy and gift were provided by the family of the late Malaetasi Togafau, for the LHS valedictorian last year.

This year, the school was contacted by Malaetasi’s sister who assured the school that the trophy and gift would again be provided by the family, in honor of Malaetasi who was the first valedictorian of Leone High School.

However, on the evening of the awards banquet, nobody from the family showed up.

The school official claims that they were told by a family member that there was a shortage of trophies on island but not to worry, a monetary gift and ula would be presented to Tinae.

“We waited and waited that night, and nobody ever showed up,” said the school official, who added that they never even got a phone call or explanation.

The school official said they contacted other members of the Malaetasi family who all claimed not to know anything about a trophy or gift.

Earlier this week, school officials visited the Malaetasi home in Nuuuli and were told by neighbors that the residence has been unoccupied for a while.

Samoa News asked the school official if there is a ‘Plan B’ and she said a request will be made to the Leone High School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) to step in and provide the trophy and gift.