With its graduation theme –“Take the initiative and lead the way; You can make the difference”-- Governor Togiola told the 25 Masters of Arts in Education graduates, with a specialization in Educational Leadership and Counseling, that their graduation “is one of the most satisfying moments of my watch at the helm of our ship.”

 

“Your success strengthens my resolve to forge ahead, until we have provided the opportunity for further education and training, until we have reached every corner of public service,” said Governor Togiola. “As we move to a society of advanced and complicated social and technological requirements, I am comforted, for I know we will have quality public servants, and leaders.”

 

Joining Governor Togiola at the graduation ceremony on stage were First Lady Mary Ann Tulafono, Scholarship Board Chairman and pastor of CCCAS Fagatogo Reverend Ned Ripley, Professor Emeritus Dr. Fred McFarlane of SDSU's Administration, Rehabilitation and Post-Secondary Education and Interwork Institute, SDSU Professor of Post Secondary Education Leadership Dr. Marilee Bresciani, SDSU Administrator Fiscal and Operation Support Mr. John Summerfruit, Education Director Dr. Claire Poumele, American Samoa Community College President Seth Galea’i, Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee Chairman Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Mauga, House Education Committee Chairman Rep. Lemapu Suiaunoa Talo, and Scholarship Board Member Fofo I.F. Sunia, who served as Master of Ceremony.

 

GRADUATES: Masters of Arts in Education graduates, with a specialization in Educational Leadership and Counseling:

 

HIGH SCHOOLS – Fagaitua:  Jemima Te’o Nafatali, Suaese Pooch Ta’ase; Leone: Angela Reese-Laumoli, Fuamoa Ulufale Taai, Matau’a Aasa; Nu’uuli Vo-Tech: Susana P. Kaisa; Samoana: Julie A. Ekeroma-Faalogo; Tafuna: Beauty Fanuaea Tuiasosopo, Niava Seira Moors.

ELEMENTARY – Alofau: Loto Kenese Pu’a; Lauli’i: Ana Tovia Fosi; Le’atele: Pulotu Savea Tua; Lupelele: Carolyn Laulauga Pese-Bird; Matatula: Fa’aletino Sala Roberts; Pava’ia’i: Betty Sunia Iosefa, Delegato Gafatasi Fuimaono, Rosita Magalasin; Tafuna: Tupa’i Fuifatu Roderick Atafua, Laborday Ioane Atanoa. 

 

EDUCATION DIVISIONS & OFFICES – Curriculum, Instructions and Accountability: Netini Sauni-Sene; Special Education: Fa’anati Nua Penitusi; Teacher Quality: Jocelyn Tupua Siologa; Testing: Samuel F. Uhrle.

 

HUMAN AND SOCIAL SERVICES: Celestine Faumuina-Nix   

 

COMMERCE: Sandra Fuimaono Lutu

 

The following is the official text of Governor Togiola’s commencement address:

Talofa and Congratulations. Two years ago, when we launched this Cohort, I said, “Today marks the launching of one of the most ambitious and far reaching programs of this Administration. Our goal is simple – improve the quality of services we offer as a government.” The road to that goal is paved with education and training. Thus, this venture. We aim to raise the level of education and skills of our public servants.

 

I compared you to “astronauts chosen at the start of America’s space program. It is a rare opportunity.” I said, “The success of your efforts will determine the direction and conduct of this program in the future. And yes, we are aiming for the stars. Your government is doing all it can to prepare you. At the end of this mission, believe me, you will be better public servants.”

 

That was the launching. Today, we say with pride – “The eagle has landed!” We are here to honor and applaud your landing.

 

For me, as Governor, your graduation is one of the most satisfying moments of my watch at the helm of our ship. Your success, ladies and gentlemen, strengthens my resolve to forge ahead until we have provided the opportunity for further education and training, until we have reached every corner of public service. As we move to a society of advanced and complicated social and technological requirements, I am comforted for I know we will have quality public servants, and leaders.

 

I know it has been a harrowing two years for most of you, managing time for regular jobs, raising children, attending church and family affairs. I commend your attitude and your fortitude. You are now better counselors, and more importantly, better persons, for having made this sacrifice. You have shown to your fellow public servants, how to take advantage of opportunities, and that as a public servant, you have a moral obligation to improve your quality so you can offer better service. You have what it takes to do it. Congratulations again.

 

Let me speak for a while about the ASG employees upgrade program. Five years ago, after our first election, we identified and placed the upgrade of our public servants at the top of our new Administration priorities. I turned to our Scholarship Board and the Department of Education and challenged them to make that goal a reality. They began by focusing on the basic government services – education, health, social services, and the economy.

 

The emphasis has been on Education. Here’s a brief list:

 

Today, 25 counselors graduate with Master of Arts degrees from San Diego State University, 23 of them work in our government schools.

 

Last fall, 25 more teachers started an online Cohort with the University of Hawaii, for M.A. degrees in Education.

 

Last year, we started a B.A. degree in Samoan studies at ASCC with a group of 30 teachers. That program is going so well that selection of candidates for another class of 30 teachers is underway.

  

From another funding source, 24 teachers, six with M.A. degrees, recently graduated in a Cohort with the University of Hawaii.

 

I said the emphasis so far has been in Education. In the last five years, we have graduated, and placed in our local system, teachers with Masters degrees, and with Bachelors degrees. We are now branching out into all government services.

 

While officials of the San Diego State University are here for this graduation, they will be furthering discussions with DOE and the Board on the beginning of an M.A. degree Cohort for 25-30 mid-level ASG office managers. 

 

DOE and the Board are in the process of organizing Cohorts in Accounting and Criminal Justice. Both are for Bachelors degrees.

 

For nurses, their training and standards are governed and maintained according to national registration requirements. I am proud and very happy with the nursing development program. The number of Registered Nurses as a result of the program, and who are serving our local health services, continue to increase.

 

I am glad that today’s graduates include one from the Department of Commerce. 

 

You know about my recent trip to Southeast Asia. I went in search for economic security. Modern economics is a vital part of modern social structure, nationally and in our Territory as well. It can no longer be left to a “flow with the tide” policy. The need for continuous economic planning is now most critical. That is why I am pleased to see a graduate among you who hails from our economic development department – the Department of Commerce. I would like to see planners with top training, and even PhDs, who can develop long-term and realistic planning, locals who live here permanently, see the results and make necessary adjustments, and then plan further.

 

Our society is changing fast. We are going global. Youth crime, domestic violence, drug addiction, disharmony in family life and other disturbing reasons, point clearly to the need for well-educated and trained social workers and counselors. I’m pleased to see a social worker from the Department of Human and Social Services among this class of graduates. As in economic planning, I would like to see social workers trained and move up to the next level.

 

The other basic service is public safety. In the next few days, I plan to place before the Fono a bill for a major restructure of the public safety system. New and higher standards of entry and performance are called for and a Commission will be established.

 

Why this route of Cohorts and not individual scholarships? Because we can cover a large number at the same time, study continues without disrupting public services, new learning is factored into work performance, as that learning is received less expensive

 

We are also continuing assistance for individual graduate and professional studies. We have students studying law, medicine, engineering and other specialized fields, such as librarian, archivist, weather forecasting and more. Some will graduate and return soon.  

 

An employee at Marine and Wildlife Resources will soon be going to Australia for studies in environmental issues. And two government employees were approved for sports medicine at the Masters level.

 

The Board has also authorized slots for an agriculturist, a computer technologist, journalist, and one to study / train to be a fully certified veterinarian at the Wyche University in New Zealand. I have specifically asked the Board to support candidates preparing for CPA exams. After watching the recent “60 Minutes: Football Island segment on American Samoa and the NFL, I believe an upgrade of coach training is in order.

 

I am very excited about our workforce upgrade program and I would like to share with you some details. Why am I so pleased and excited about this?

 

First, we will be served by quality public servants.

 

Second, we are setting a new standard, raising the bar, if you will. For example, an applicant will have to match or better the qualifications of these counselors – to land a job as a school or social service counselor.  I know some will ask, “Where are we going to find them?” From a second and third Cohort and so on. You will be hearing more about “raising the bar” when I present to the Fono - the Public Safety restructuring bill.

 

Thirdly, I am excited because we now know there are public servants able and willing to make sacrifices to improve their worth and to improve the quality of their services to their people. I like the fact that this group is only approaching middle age. They will be in the service for a long time, long after I am gone from here.  

 

I am aware of the skeptics. I say to them: Have a little patience. Talk to today’s graduates and others studying in the various graduate and training studies – and accept the fact that we are marching to “a new drum beat.”

 

I want to thank Chairman Rev. Ned Ripley and the Scholarship Board, the Director and Department of DOE, and Dr. Seth Galea’i and his staff at ASCC, for answering my call in this upgrade program. Rev. Ripley, I commend you for your many years of leadership and dedicated services to our people, on this Board, and others as well.

 

To the Fono, I say that your trust, as shown by funding this program, is now fully justified. I promise you more good results. Keep sending the ammunition. We’ll carry on the fight. I commend your representatives on this Board, especially Sen. Alo Stevenson who has served for a number of years. 

 

To the San Diego State University, and especially Dr. Fred McFarlane and Dr. Bresciano, we deeply appreciate your cooperation and support. You are building a nice alumni branch in American Samoa. I hope your support in our workforce upgrade will continue. It is the type of public assistance that great American universities are known for.

 

Finally, I want to say with emphasis, to you and to all potential and future participants of these special education and skills training programs: These Cohorts are paid with local funds – not grants. It’s yours and my tax money at work in our own community. You have a moral obligation to return it in the form of a high quality service to our people. You are receiving a working M.A. – not a sitting down degree. Go to work!

 

Congratulations to you, your families and friends. Soifua.

Le ‘au Fa’au’u: Talofa. Malo tauasa. Fa’afetai folau.

 

Ina ua amata la tatou Cohort i le lua tausaga talu ai, sa ou faapea atu: “O le aso lenei ua tuu ai i tai le vaatele, o se tasi o fuafuaga aupito mamao ma le toto’a a lenei Nofoaiga. O lona sini: IA SIITIA LE TULAGA O TAUTUA A LE MALO I ONA TAGATA. O le ala i lena sini, e ui atu i a’oa’oga ma le faamasani i galuega. O le mafuaga lena o lenei taumafaiga.

 

Sa ou faatusaina outou i “tautai o le vāteatea a Amerika. O se avanoa e seāseā maua. Ma, e faalagolago le faaauau, ma itulagi fōlau o lenei porokarama, i le manuia o la outou amataga. Tatou te fia oo i le masina ma fetu. Ua faasaga le Malo e tapena le malaga. O lona taunuuga faamoemoeina – o le siitia o le tautua i le lautele.”

 

O upu na o le aso na tuu ai i tai lo outou sa. A o le asō, o le upu fiafia – “Ua a’e i fanua tamasoāalii!” Tautai a’e! Malo fai o le faiva!

 

O le tasi lenei o matātati’a ‘ausia sili ona tāua ma le faamalieloto mo a’u, i lo’u tula’i i le foe o lo tatou Malo. O le vaaiga ma le lagona fiafia o lenei afiafi, ua faamalosia atili ai lo’u loto - ia tulei pea, ia faaauau pea le porokarama, ia soo’ula le faamoemoe, se’ia soo tulimanu uma o loo iai le au tautua a le Malo.

 

Ou te ioe i le fitā o lenei lua tausaga mo outou. E faigaluega tumau, tausi aiga ma fanau, fai mea faalelotu, ma faalavelave o aiga. E lē i lafoa’ia mea masani. Ua tatau le faamalō: MALO TAUASA, FAAFETAI FINAU. Lea la ua maua le siitaga o lo outou agavaa faafautua i a’oga ma isi matātā. O le a galulue ma le lagona i lou lava loto - ua “faatāuaina o lou tagata”.

Se’i fai sina a’u tala i le porokarama mo le siitia o agavaa o tagata faigaluega.I le amataga o la ma Nofoa’iga muamua, sa faatulaga sini e fia ‘ausia. Na tusi lima i le “siitia o tulaga o tautua faalemalo”,  o se tasi o faamuamua. Na lafo atu i le Komiti o Sikolasipi ma le Matagaluega o A’oga, ma le lu’i – faatino le mana’o, faataunuu le miti.

Sa fai sa latou ata, amata i matātā tumau tetele nei e fa: a’oga, soifua maloloina, leoleo, ma le atina’e o le tamaoaiga. Na tuu i A’OGA le faamamafa. Silasila i nai otootoga ia: 

Le asō, ua faauu le 25 ma tikeri M.A. i le tofi faafautua (counseling), mai le San Diego State University, 23 o i latou o faia’oga.

 

O le lua lenei o vaituuaga o le Cohort ma le Univesite o Hawaii, On-Line, mo le tikeri o le M.A. E 25 foi isi faia’oga o loo aooga ai.

 

Tausaga ua te’a na amata ai le vasega e 30 faia’oga, mo le tikeri B.A. i Mataupu Tau le Aganuu ma le Gagana, i se porokarama fou i lo tatou Kolisi Tuufaatasi. Ua ataata manuia. Ou te fiafia ai e faailoa atu, o lea ua filifili le isi foi 30 faia’oga o le Aganuu ma le Gagana, mo le vasega fou.

 

Masina ua te’a na faauu ai foi isi faia’oga e 24, i se Cohort ma le Univesite o Hawaii; e to’aono M.A. O isi o B.A. uma.

 

Pei ona ou fai atu, o le ulua’i faamamafa o le porokarama siitia o agavaa – na faa‘autū i le atiina a’e o a tatou faia’oga. I le 5 tausaga lea faato’a mavae atu, e to’atele faia’oga ua maua M.A, ma B.A. Lea ua amata ona se’e atu le Komiti i isi matātā o galuega a lo tatou Malo.

 

A o lē i foi alii porofesa ia o le San Diego State University, ua tatau ona mautū feutaga’iga ma le Komiti e uiga i le amatalia o le Cohort M.A. foi, mo pule lagolago o ofisa eseese o le Malo. Le vaega lea e ta’u o mid-level managers. Atonu foi e aofia ai ma ni assistant directors.

 

O loo tau faamae’a gaoioiga o le Cohort mo le vasega o Leoleo, ma tausi tusi (accountants); o le tikeri o le BA.

 

E tulaga ‘ese le porokarama mo tamaitai tusima’i, pei ona ta’u i la’u folasaga faaletausaga i luma o le Fono. E pulea ma faatautai i lalo o aiaiga faatausima’i a le Malo atoa, ma o loo faaopoopo pea tausima’i e umia le faailoga o le RN. E ma’eu foi le faafiafialoto o lea taumafaiga.

 

Ua ou fiafia tele o loo i le faauuga lenei se tasi mai le matātā o le tamaoaiga atia’e. 

Ua outou silafia, faatoa ou fo’i mai se malaga i Asia i Saute. O se sailiga mo lo tatou TAMAOAIGA. Fia maua se tulaga mautū, mo nei ma le lumana’i. I tulaga o ona po nei, o fuafuaga o le tamaoaiga atia’e, o se vaega tupito lona tāua o le soifuaga. E lē mafai ona tatou toe se’e se’e malie i faiga masani. Ua fia maua ni o tatou lava tagata ua a’oa’oina faapitoa, i se tulaga maualuga, latou te gafatia onafai fuafuaga mamao male mautū. Ou te fia vaai i ni isi ua oo le a’oa’oina i le maualuga o le Ph.D. E faapena le tāua o le matātā lenei.

 

E ui ina toatasi le fautua faauu mai le vaega o Tautua Lautele (Social Services), a e faafetai tele. Auā o le isi lea matagaluega e sili ona moomia ai faufautua a’oa’oina lelei. Ua televave suiga o le soifuaga. Ua tatou mili lava faatasi ma le lalolagi. O le tupu malosi o faigata o le tupulaga, aiga malepelepe, sauāina o tinā ma fanau, mai isi gasegase o aiga i aso nei, e ta’u manino mai ai le moomia o fautua a’oa’oina, e feagai agavaa ma le tetele o faafitauli. Ou te fia vaai foi o laa a’e le vaega lenei i fautua e umia Ph.Ds.

E faapena foi le faamoemoe o le Vaega o Leoleo lea o le a faaofi ai se pili mo le toe faatulagaina. O la’u sini: sii le tulaga o le tautua. A e alu faatasi ma le Cohort B.A. foi mo Leoleo, lea e tapena e le Komiti. 

 

O le a le mea ua tatou ui i Cohorts, ae tuu faiga masani o sikolasipi? Tali: E mafai ona aooga le toatele i le taimi e tasi, ma siitia faatasi ai agavaa; E aooga a e faigaluega pea; e lē taofia galuega a le Malo; E faaaoga loa lava i galuega le poto fou lea e maua; E taugofie.

 

A o loo faaauau pea foi sikolasipi i fafo, e ō ai ta’ito’atasi, i matātā e lē onomea ai ni Cohort. O loo iai nei a tatou tagata i a’oga faaloia, foma’i, inisinia, akaiva ma faletusi, vā‘ai tau ma isi. Ua lata ona faauu ma fo’i mai. Ua sauni se tasi mo le a’oga o mataupu tau le si’omaga (environmental studies) i Ausetalia; ma le isi to’alua i le M.A. faafoma’i o taaloga. Ua pāsia e le Komiti, ma o loo faatali ni talosaga mo avanoa i faato’aga, inisinia komepiuta, tusitala, ma se foma’i manu e ‘ave i le Wyche University i Niu Sila.

 

Ou te iloa ua gase la outou faafofoga i lo’u tautala pea i lenei mataupu o agavaa o tagata faigaluega. A e loloto le mafuaga. Silasila: A agavaa le ‘au galulue – ua lelei ona tautuaina le atunuu. Ua ou taumafai ia sii le tapulaa o agavaa i galuega; a lē ‘ausia, e lē faigaluega. Faatusa i faia’oga fautua. I le lumana’i, a lē umia le M.A. faafaufautua, e lē mafai ona galue faafaufautua. Ona fesili lea o isi, “Oi a o fea a maua ai na maua tagata agavaa?” Tali: E maua ai lava iinei, pei o le vaega lea ua faauu nei. O le ala lena e tatau ai ona toe amata isi Cohorts.

 

Lea ua faamaonia, e mafai ona toe aooga tagata faigaluega o loo iai nei – pe a toa le loto! Manaia tausaga o le soifuaga o le vaega lea. E lē matutua tele, a ua matutua i lagona. E umi foi tausaga e tautua ai i le lautele. Ou te alu ese ma le Kovana – a e nonofo lava latou e faaauau le tautua agavaa.

 

Ou te momoli atu le faafetai tele i lau susuga a le Faife’au, Neli Ripley, o le ta’ita’i, faapea le Komiti; le Susuga i le Pule A’oga, Dr. Poumele; ma Dr. Seth Galea’i, Peresetene o le Kolisi Tuufaatasi; i le talia lelei o la’u lu’itau. Lau Susuga Ripley, faafetai mo lau tautua matavela i le Malo e ala i Komiti eseese i nei tausaga e tele.

 

Faafetai i le Fono Faitulafono. Lea ua outou taga’i i le faamaoniga o a’u talosaga tupe mo lenei faamoemoe. E lē gata iinei. O le a maua pea isi aso faapenei i le lumana’i. Faasolo mai pea le auupega. Faitalia matou ona tau le taua! Faamalō i o outou sui i le Komiti, aemaise le Afioga a Alo Stevenson ua loa o tautua ai. 

 

I alii porofesa ua faatasi mai mai le San Diego State University, aemaise le susuga a Dr. Fred McFarlane ma Dr. Bresciani, faafetai tele i le agaga fesoasoani. I le ma o lea ua amata ona telē la outou aluminai i le Teritori lenei. Matou te tatalo ia faaauau pea la outou fesoasoani i Amerika Samoa nei, auā o faiga na e iloa univesite tetele o Amerika.

 

O si a’u toe upu i le ‘au faauu lea, ma isi o fuafua ulufale ma faauu i le porokarama lenei. O tupe o a tatou lafoga – au lafoga ma a’u lafoga – na ao i Samoa nei lea e totogi ai Cohorts. Faailoa lau faafetai i le afu pa’ia o le atunuu – i le faaleleia loa o lau tautua mo le lautele.

 

O lo outou tikeri - o le M.A. galue. E lē o ni M.A. nofonofo. Soifua.

 

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