Samoan Track and Field Star Aspires to Compete in the Olympics
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
SECTION B VISIT SAMOA NEWS ONLINE @ SAMOANEWS.COM MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2017 CLASSIFIEDS • CARTOONS • ALOHA BRIEFS & MORE ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ Samoan track and field star aspires C M Y K to compete in the Olympics By Blue Chen-Fruean Kau’ilani’s aunty is Lisa Misipeka, who competed rational in guiding and helping me with my training. Samoa News Correspondent and represented American Samoa in track and field One day I would like to return to American Samoa and Kau’ilani Maryann Wannett Tufieavi’iafalaufuta at the Olympics, the South Pacific Games, and other share the knowledge I have gained with the youth.” Malauulu Misipeka has done the unthinkable. An avid international events. Kau’ilani spent her early life in American Samoa, volleyball player, the 15-year-old hung up her knee “She was ranked 3rd in the world at one point, and attending Lupelele, Uifa’atali Peter Coleman, and pads this past season to try something new. won several medals for American Samoa,” Kau’ilani Manulele Elementary Schools, before she and her Needless to say, the athletically gifted daughter of pointed out. “She has inspired me to pursue track and family relocated to the US in 2013. Tufi Malauulu of Nuuuli and Keiki Misipeka of Faga- field and follow in her footsteps. She has been inspi- Her father Keiki is a household name in the terri- togo did her family, and the (Continued on page B8) territory, proud. She literally ‘threw’ herself into track and field – a world unfamiliar to her until that point - and came out shining like a star. She was the only freshman from Silverado High School THANK YOU!! FA’AFETAI!! SINAPI Volleyball Club would like to THANK the businesses community, organizational groups, families and friends for your to compete in the Nevada financial support and kind donations in making our attendance to Samoa’s Independence International Volleyball Tournament 2017 possible. State Track & Field throwing events. She placed 3rd in the Fa’afetai Tele i lau fo’ai fa’atamali’i ua mafai ai ona fa’ataunu’u lenei fa’amoemoe. Viia le Ali’i 4A State tournament (the highest level in Nevada), and took home 7th place in regionals for discus. Onlookers cannot believe that this was Kau’ilani’s first time competing in track and field, as her performance was that of a seasoned thrower with years of practice. “Never in her life had she thrown a discus or shot put, let alone be a part of a track and field team,” said her mother Tufi. “For her to end the season as 3rd overall in the State for shot put and 7th for discus, and to be the only freshman competing at the finals in her categories, totally deserves recogni- tion. We love you Kau’ilani American Samoa Government Officials / Individuals Misipeka.” Honorable Savali Talavou Ale – House Speaker Mataua Aasa-Matai – Leone High School Principal Manutafea Taufetee Following her remarkable Honorable Gaoteote Palaie – Senate President Papalii Laulii Alofa Tagoa’i Iati Tuiolemotu performance, Kau’ilani’s Honorable Paepae Joe Faiai – Alataua Senator Iosua Mutini Pito Samuelu proud dad Keiki posted on Honorable Sam Ioka Ale Meleisea – Tualauta Representative Kennedy Nofoagatoto’a C M Upuia Candy Mutini social media: “The only Honorable Aumua Amata and Staff – Congresswoman Office Kateferu & Katerina Elisara Palemene & Misty Malu Y K freshman to compete in the Honorable Talauega Eleasaro Ale – Attorney General Manu’a Chen Sikione Sikione Jr. event. Grateful I was able Loma Iosia to watch you perform. Vi’ia Le Atua Always – ‘Samoa Muamua Le Atua’.” American Samoa Businesses Community Doc’s Family Business - Lepuapua Samoa-Apia Supporters: Kau’ilani was born in Paramount Builders - Malaeimi Polynesian Airline - Tafuna Tuiafelolo Eti & Taimalelagi Avarua Laulala (Siusega) Honolulu, Hawaii and just Island Funeral - Nu’uuli Falefa Store - Amanave Rev. Livigisitone & Luana Peseta (Tafagamanu Lefaga) Dr. Navy & Vaoala Kolone-Collins completed her ninth grade McConnell Dowell - Tafuna Missy’s Small Loans - Failolo year at Silverado High School Areta Samuelu & Sisters Island Business Center - Nuuuli in Las Vegas, Nevada. This Organizational Groups: Peter & Hana Alefosio fall, she will be a sophomore Manu’a Store - Malaeimi Failolo Methodist Church Juliuspatrick & Nita Matthes at Garden City High School. O & O Inc - Nu’uuli ASVF – American Samoa Volleyball Federation Fetuao Ualesi Matamu & Children She told Samoa News Scotland Rentals - Vailoa ALL FAMILIES, FRIENDS & SUPPORTERS Kaleuati & Mausali Pu’epu’emai over the weekend that her ButtonsHawaii808 - Hawaii Lona-Fagaloa Volleyball Club goal is to earn an academic track and field scholarship to attend college. “Another goal of mine is to compete and represent American Samoa in the junior Olympics and hopefully in the Olympics,” she added. Page B2 samoa news, Monday, June 26, 2017 Tebow being promoted to Mets’ affiliate in Florida COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — first baseman to end the inning. Tim Tebow is moving up and He went 0 for 2 with a walk. heading south — to some very Next up is a more chal- familiar territory. lenging level. Still, he’s happy Tebow has been promoted to to be headed back to the Sun- the New York Mets’ high Class shine State, where he still has A affiliate in St. Lucie, Florida. family, friends and many, many The 29-year-old Tebow led the supporters in Gator colors. University of Florida to two “I obviously love Florida national championships and so this is nice,” he said with a won the 2007 Heisman Trophy grin. “But the goal and focus is during his stellar football career improving as a baseball player.” with the Gators. Tebow’s first pro baseball Baseball has not been as stop had a storybook start with easy for the 29-year-old out- a home run in his first at-bat. fielder. He hit just .220 with He added another homer three three homers and 23 RBIs with games later, but he has been Class A Columbia — numbers mostly inconsistent at the plate. that usually don’t lead to a That’s baseball, Tebow said. promotion. He went 0 for 3 during Satur- “For me, it’s not something day’s win over Kannapolis, but Leading the Olympic Day parade this past Saturday were the young members of the American I have to answer,” Tebow said. drove in two runs. Samoa Jr. Golfers program. Sponsored by the National Olympic Committee in collaboration with “There’s a lot smarter, wiser “I know that my progress has the Department of Youth and Women and the Sports Center. people than me that make those led me to having three good at- [photo: TG] decisions. I just try and show up bats, to bring in two guys,” he and play hard every day.” said. “As an athlete you can’t General manager Sandy worry about those things. You Alderson announced the move have to focus on, ‘Am I seeing before the Mets’ 8-2 win at the pitches? What am I doing San Francisco on Sunday. He with them? Am I doing damage DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN AND SOCIAL SERVICES said Tebow’s performance had with them?’” trended positively the past two Tebow certainly looked Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) or three weeks and the Mets comfortable in the Fireflies’ thought it was a good time for clubhouse, despite being a his promotion. decade older than several of his PUBLIC NOTICE “Clearly, it’s a step up,” teammates. Alderson said. “I certainly think “We’ve said he’s just one of he can handle it.” 25 guys,” Columbia president Five Year State Plan Goals and Objectives 2017 - 2021 Tebow was a smash hit with John Katz said. “At the end of Goal 1 – Self-Advocacy fans the past three months in the day, he really is. He wants the South Atlantic League. to succeed. He puts in the work People with developmental disabilities will have increased opportunities to develop leadership and self- advocacy skills The Fireflies were second in and hopefully, he’ll have con- to participate in community life. the league with an average tinued success at a higher level.” Objective 1 The American Samoa Developmental Disabilities Planning Council in collaboration with the Office of attendance of 5,230 heading That’s Alderson’s wish, too, as Protection and Advocacy and the University Centers for Excellence on Developmental Disabilities will strengthen one into Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Kan- Tebow continues a journey that statewide advocacy organization namely (AIGA), support opportunities for people with developmental disabilities who napolis, and Tebow’s presence he hopes ends at Citi Field in are considered leaders to provide leadership training to individuals with developmental disabilities to become leaders, led to sellouts and big crowds at New York. nearly every road stop. and support and expand participation of self - advocates in cross disability and cultural diverse coalitions. “I wouldn’t say he has Tebow got a loud ovation excelled” at Columbia, Goal 2 – Employment when he came to the plate for Alderson said. “But at the same People with developmental disabilities will have increased access to employment opportunities that meet their needs the first time Sunday with the time, what he’s done there — and preferences. bases loaded in the first inning. given all the circumstances — He then hit a hot shot right at the justified the promotion.” Objective 1 - Work with the private sector, non-profit organizations and government agencies to provide opportunities for young adults with developmental disabilities to gain employment in areas of their capabilities in an inclusive setting. Goal 3 – Education /Transition Targeted Disparity People with developmental disabilities between the ages of 16-18 in the public high schools lack the skills and training necessary to transition to secondary education and employment opportunities.