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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, April 25, 2008

Samoan students win scholarships

By Kacie Miura
Advertiser Staff Writer

THE RECIPIENTS

This year's recipients are:

Janelle Fetui - Hanalani High School

Marcus Fonoti - Wai'anae High School

Leiloa Tiumalu - Waipahu High School

Sesilia Mageo - Kapolei High School

Alexandria Gapelu - Radford High School

Timothy Tali - Saint Louis High School

Siniva Faumuina - Campbell High School

Nakisha Tauvela-Lewis - 'Aiea High School

Florence Toleafoa - Moanalua High School

Tautau Lilo - Kaimuki High School

Joshua Jamias - Mid-Pacific Institute

Adrianne Gaea - Kapolei High School

Tyrell Ma'ae - Kapolei High School

Bronson Pausa - Leilehua High School

Mapo Kesi - Kaimuki High School

Patricia Tuua - Farrington High School

Chanteal Satele - Word of Life

Sara Billiamosa - Pearl City High School

Tikeri Thompson - Damien Memorial

Tuiatua Tuiasosopo - Saint Louis High School

Fasia Afuola - Campbell High School

Agnes Faaleaoga-Maloata - Kailua High School

Shiloah Teo - Kahuku High School

Jerica Tafiti - Kahuku High School

Lee Alailima-Rose - Mid-Pacific Institute

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HOW TO APPLY

All Samoan students who are seniors at public and private high schools on O'ahu are encouraged to apply for the Lumana'i Awards. Students interested in applying should see their school's college counselor for more information.

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An awards program that started modestly in 2002 celebrated its biggest year yet last night by presenting $500 scholarships to 25 outstanding high school students of Samoan ancestry.

The Lumana'i Awards recognize graduating Samoan students for academic achievements and community service. This year's awards ceremony was held at Central Union Church in Makiki.

The Nu'u Ministry of the United Church of Christ, which sponsors the program, usually funds the scholarship with church donations. But this year, the ministry raised more than $17,000 at a benefit that featured performances by Samoan church and music groups.

"Now the community helps to raise money," said Iva Tiave, a Lumana'i Award board member and a teacher and counselor at Farrington High School. "We're self-funded now."

The money paid for 25 scholarships, the most the program has given out in one year.

"We have students who just want to make a difference," Tiave said. "The award personally acknowledges their academic and social achievements."

Tiave said she helped to start the scholarship program in 2002 because she was concerned that Samoan students were only being recognized for their athletic achievements.

"They always acknowledge the athletes, but they never acknowledge the students who do well in school, and there's a lot of them," Tiave said.

The program recognized nine students in its first year, and with last night's awards has rewarded a total of 108 students with $50,000 in scholarships for post-secondary institutions.

Students vie for awards in a variety of categories, including music and performing arts, community service and academic subjects such as English, math and science.

They can also compete in a category called Tau Sa'afia, which honors a student with outstanding character.

"It goes to someone who is respected, a positive, well-rounded person," Tiave said.

The winner of this year's prestigious Tau Sa'afia award was Jerica Tafiti, a Kahuku High senior who dreams of playing professional rugby and teaching in Third World countries. She will pursue her goals next fall at Eastern Illinois University.

"I was so surprised and happy. I ran to my mom and I was jumping up and down," she said.

Tafiti said that the Lumana'i award has inspired her to give back to the Samoan community.

"It boosted my self-esteem and made me realize that I can actually get scholarships," she said. "It makes me want to encourage the next generation."

Taualai Fonoti, a Saint Louis High and Stanford University graduate, was among the first group of students to receive the award.

"It allows Samoan youth to network," said Fonoti, a financial analyst. "It's hard to do well in school on your own, and knowing there's other people who have the same goals and aspirations makes it easier."

Fonoti, who was a standout scholar-athlete in football, track and soccer, said the Lumana'i Award is important because it encourages Samoan students to strive for excellence in the classroom and community.

"It gives pride to our community because when kids do well, parents get acknowledged too," Tiave said. "The kids get the awards, but the whole family is honored."