Maintaining the “status Shanaiah Fruean took home “1st Place Overall” last week during Aua Elementary quo” of our political School’s end-of-year awards ceremony for status deemed an eco- its 8th grade Class of 2017. In addition to numerous subject nomic necessity awards and certificates for participating 3 in territorial competitions like History Day and Science Fair, Shaniah was also presented a certificate for “Outstanding Olympic Day Academic Excellence” from the President’s Education Awards Program. celebration expe- The certificate is signed by the US Sec- retary of Education and the President of cted to draw the United States, Donald Trump. large crowd B1 [photo: BC] Taofi le toe aumaia ONLINE @ SAMOANEWS.COM o le taro mai Samoa C M mo se taimi Y K le tumau B9 DAILY CIRCULATION 7,000 PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA THURSDAY, JUNE 08, 2017 $1.00 Case between Congratulations CCCAS and former Class of 2017 119 graduate from General Secretary the Home of the lands in High Court Translated by Samoa News staff the Kanana Fou compound. church minister holds this post, Mighty Vikings ollowing a two- The house is near the CCCAS he said. day bench trial last main office, according to the The Elders Committee sus- “GO FORTH AND CONQUER” week, the High amended complaint filed on pended Tofaeono’s ministe- Court has taken May 19 which also states that rial duties because of family by Leiloa Ese Malala underF advisement a complaint the house is assigned to the issues — between Tofaeono Samoa News Staff Writer by the Congregational Christian General Secretary rent-free, not and his wife — that ended up One hundred nineteen Church of American Samoa including utilities. before the committee. Among Vikings gathered for a final (CCCAS) against Rev. Elder According to the plaintiffs, time yesterday morning to turn the family issues, according Amaama Tofaeono, who alleg- their tassels and close out the the CCCAS Elder Ministers of to Saifoloi’s testimony, is an final chapter of great memories edly refused to vacate CCCAS the Elders Committee, which allegation that Tofaeono had a made at Faga’itua High School. housing he and his wife occu- has sole responsibility for the “mafutaga fa’alilolilo (or secret The Class of 2017 came pied, after his ministerial duties clergy and ministerial activi- relationship)” with a woman, dressed in their school colors - including his CCCAS General ties, had informed the defen- while his wife and the couple’s - girls in red and boys in black Secretary post - were suspended dants, Tofaeono and his wife, daughter, were in New Zealand - with great support from their for a certain amount of time. in writing on Mar. 22 to vacate for education purposes. proud parents, close friends, The complaint seeks sum- the premises by Mar. 31 While in New Zealand, the and honored guests, who were Valedictorian Tamara Joanna mary judgment against the However, CCCAS General wife received word from trusted C M there to celebrate their success. Makalio. [photo: EM] defendants, Tofaeono and his Assembly vice chair Rev. Elder friends in American Samoa wife, Joan Aleluia, who is also Y K This year’s coverage of the Fa’aeteete Saifoloi testified regarding a secret relationship 2017 graduation season — pany that prides itself in pro- an ordained CCCAS minister. during the first day of trial that between Tofaeono and another Valedictorian and Salutatorian moting education and investing However, the defendants claim Tofaeono and his family had woman, according to court tes- — is brought to you by Para- in the territory’s children. that the plaintiffs lack sufficient refused to vacate the premises. timony. Based on this informa- mount Builders, a local com- (Continued on page 2) evidence to prove its case. The action by the Elders tion from trusted friends, the The bench trial — presided Committee to remove Tofaeono wife and the daughter departed over by Acting Associate Jus- and his family from the prem- New Zealand and headed to tice Elvis P. Patea and assisted ises, followed an earlier deci- American Samoa without by Associate Judges Suapaia sion (by the Committee) to Tofaeono being informed in Pereira and Satele Lili’o- suspend for three years Tofae- advance. Satele — began last Tuesday. ono’s ministerial duties, while The surprise arrival of Mrs. Representing the CCCAS his wife, who also is a church Tofaeono was followed by an and ranking church officials minister, had her ministe- alleged dispute between the is Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde, rial duties suspended for one couple, resulting in Tofaeono while Tasi Tuiteleleapaga is the year, according to Saifoloi’s using strong words that led to legal counsel for Tofaeono and testimony. a private peace disturbance. his wife. With his ministerial duties In need of assistance, the wife Tofaeono was elected Gen- suspended — Tofaeono’s post sought out Saifoloi, who was eral Secretary at last year’s bian- as General Secretary is auto- then told of what was hap- nual meeting and was assigned matically removed, in accor- pening to their family. The three Salutatorians, Gingerlei Va’a, O’Riley Leau and Tedy a newly renovated three-bed- dance with the church consti- Before the church could Barber. [photo: EM] room, one-story home, inside tution, which states that only a (Continued on page 4) Page 2 samoa news, Thursday, June 08, 2017 During the final moments of the Faga’itua High School commencement ceremony yesterday morning, the graduates shouted with excitement, “We Did It!”Congratulations Vikings! [photo:EM] and Leone. O’Riley’s love for like our graduation theme: ‘Go Tamara was also awarded a ➧ science and math began at Aua forth and conquer’ and make scholarship from Northern Ari- 119 graduate from the … Continued from page 1 Elementary School where he a change - change that will zona University (President’s participated in numerous sci- make a difference and carry our Excellence Tuition scholarship “Paramount Builders wants tory and Samoan Language ence fair and math competitions. school legacy.” for non-residents for $36,000), nothing more than to see our throughout her four years at the In 2014 and 2015, O’Riley The third salutatorian is and the Lyndon State College children succeed in whatever Home of the Vikings. took second place in the Envi- Tedy Heaven Lita Barber with scholarship worth $44,000 over they do, whether it involves She was accepted to Florida ronmental Science category a 3.94 GPA. The daughter of four years. aspirations to work in the gov- Institute of Technology, and during the Island-Wide High Brandy Tuato’o Shimasaki and While she has also been ernment or private sector. Our Northern Arizona University School Science Fair. Tenney Barber scored 1160 on accepted to Grand Canyon children are the most important but is planning to attend the In 2016, he took first place the SAT and 23 on the ACT. She University and Western New resource we have. Invest in University of Hawaii at Manoa, in the Technology Category wishes to major in engineering Mexico University, Tamara them.” majoring in civil engineering. and this year, he placed fourth and obtain a certification in has opted to stay home and Dr. Juanita Leiato Faiivae, Gingerlei told Samoa News in the American Samoa High information systems. Tedy was attend the American Samoa the senior class counselor pre- that she is passionate about School Science Symposium selected for the Step-Up Intern- Community College for two sented the top honors, which math and plans to get a job after and competed in the Hawaii ship Program and received the years, majoring in Business went to 4 graduates: 1 valedic- completing her studies to help Pacific Regional High School Congressional nomination for Administration. torian and 3 salutatorians. her parents financially and be Symposium in Honolulu, HI. three military academies. Her advice to her fellow The first salutatorian with a back to take care of them. “As O’Riley was also a recipient Top honors this year went graduates is: “Be a Viking GPA of 3.99 is Gingerlei Tao- children get older, our parents of the NSTI and STEP-UP to Tamara Joanna Makalio, because we do not accept fiofi Onosa’i Va’a, daughter get older too,” she said. Summer Scholarship in 2016. daughter of Emanuele and Tala defeat; so go forth and conquer of Pua’atuua and Tina Va’a The second salutatorian with He received the United States Makalio of Utusi’a and Aua. the world.” of Tula. Gingerlei received a 3.98 GPA is O’Riley Siona Army ROTC Ike Skelton full Tamara, who finished off with Besides the Top Four stu- ‘Prestigious Awards’ in math- Le’au, son of Oliver John and scholarship to attend New a 4.0 GPA, wishes to major in dents, others who graduated ematics, science, English, his- Fatima Sauafea-Le’au of Aua Mexico Military Institute for civil engineering or aeronau- with high honors include: two years, beginning August tical studies. Rosanly Taulaga, Raemos 2017. She received a scholar- Fano, Jemima Nafatali, Zachary O’Riley advises his fellow ship from Chaminade Univer- Falesoani, Rita Jennings and graduates to “Make the right sity (Regents Award $8,500) Satauroolealofa Pulu. choice. Things are getting and another scholarship from Malo lava le finau, Vikings complicated now a days; do St.Martin’s University (Presi- Class of 2017!! something and stay safe. Just dent’s Scholarship for $64,000). Sharon Lavea, a graduate of Faga’itua High School’s Class of 2017, shared her special day with her siblings and proud parents: President & Sister Michael Lavea. [photo:EM] samoa news, Thursday, June 08, 2017 Page 3 Maintaining the “status quo” of our political status deemed an economic necessity by Fili Sagapolutele Food Stamps and School Lunch repair costs, public safety, and Samoa News Correspondent Program as well as assistance the alarming increase in illegal American Samoans main- through the US Federal Emer- drug traffic, the critical need to taining the current “status quo” gency Management Agency.