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American Samoa Government - PR001-05152026
Posted: May 15, 2026
American Samoa Community College Holds Eighty-Fourth Commencement Ceremony for Spring Semester Class of 2026
KANANA FOU, American Samoa — The American Samoa Community College held its Eighty-Fourth Commencement Ceremony for the Class of Spring Semester 2026 on Friday, May 15, 2026, at the CCCAS Taeaoafua Gymnasium. The ceremony brought together graduates, families, educators, and community leaders to celebrate this important milestone in the lives of the graduating class
The commencement ceremony was attended by Governor Pulaali'i Nikolao Pula, members of the Board of Higher Education, ASCC management and staff, along with proud family members and friends gathered to honor the accomplishments of the graduates.
Pastor Francis Lolesio delivered the invocation, reminding graduates that God’s blessings were being poured upon them on this special day because of the many sacrifices made by both the graduates and their families throughout their educational journey. He emphasized that the graduates are now witnessing the rewards of their perseverance and faith and reminded them that God would continue to guide and walk beside them in the years ahead.
In her welcoming remarks, ASCC President Dr. Rosevonne Makaiwi-Pato acknowledged the dedication and efforts of the graduating class and thanked them for choosing to pursue their educational journey at ASCC. Dr. Makaiwi-Pato emphasized that the future of American Samoa rests in the hands of its young leaders and encouraged graduates as they prepare to enter the workforce equipped with knowledge, skills, and experiences gained during their time at the college.
Governor Pulaali'i delivered special remarks and reflected on the sacrifices and determination that led graduates to this day. “Today is a beautiful day to celebrate not only the accomplishments, but also the sacrifices that brought you here — the long nights, early mornings, the challenges you faced, and the people who stood beside you every step of the way,” the Governor stated.
The Governor shared a heartfelt message he hoped graduates would carry with them throughout life: “It is not so much where you serve that matters, but how we serve others.” Governor Pulaali'i elaborated that while graduates will take many different paths, the greatest impact they make will not come from titles or positions, but from how they treat and serve others in their communities.
Governor Pulaali’i concluded by congratulating the Class of 2026 and expressed confidence in the graduates, stating that the Territory is proud of their achievements and looks forward to their future contributions to our community.
The Commencement Speaker for the ceremony was the Department of Agriculture Director, Daniel Helsham, who previously spent more than ten years serving at ASCC within the Land Grant Program. Director Helsham congratulated the graduates and shared his excitement about the next chapter awaiting them as they enter the workforce and embrace new opportunities and challenges.
Director Helsham encouraged graduates to use their education for a greater purpose. “There are many smart and educated people in the world, but what we need more of today are caring, responsible, and committed people who are willing to use their knowledge to make a difference,” he shared. “Education is more than personal success, it is a responsibility, giving back, lifting others and using what you have learned beyond yourself”. He encouraged graduates to use their knowledge and skills to contribute to the continued growth and success of American Samoa. The ceremony celebrated seventy-five Spring Semester graduates, along with eighteen graduates from colleges and universities who are also ASCC alumni returning to receive recognition for their academic accomplishments. Congratulations once again to the Class of Spring Semester 2026. The American Samoa Government and the community proudly celebrate your achievements and wish you continued success in your future endeavors.
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Fa’ataunu’uina le Fa’au’uga lona Valusefulufa, Kolisi Tu’ufa’atasi ā Amerika Samoa - 2026
KANANA FOU, Amerika Samoa – Sa fa’ataunu’uina i le asō, Aso Faraile, Me 15, 2026 i le Maota o le Taeaoafua a le EFKAS i Kanana Fou, le fa’au’uga lona Valusefulufa o le Vasega o le Kolisi Tu’ufa’atasi ā Amerika Samoa. Na mafuta ma fa’atasi atu i ai le au fa’au’u, faiaoga, o nu’u, fa’apea ma aiga, ma molimauina ai le matagofie o lenei fa’amoemoe a le vasega fa’au’u. Na auai atu le Kovana ia Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula, sui o le Komiti, Fa’atonu o Aoga, aufaigaluega ale Kolisi Tu’ufa’atasi, ma le mamalu o aiga o le au fa’au’u.
O le Susuga le Faifeau ia Francis Lolesio, na ia fa’amalosi’au ma fa’amanatu i le au fa’au’u, fa’amanuiaga ua auina mai le Atua mo i latou i lenei lava aso. Na ia fa’amamafa le tāua o le tūtūmau i le fa’atuatua a’o i ai le faigamalaga fa’alea’oa’oga e le gata mo nei, ae fa’aauau pea ona taiala le Atua mo i latou i le lumana’i. Na saunoa le Peresetene o le Kolisi Tu’ufa’atasi ia Dr Rosevonne Makaiwi-Pato, “O le fa’amaoni ma le taumafaiga a le vasega fa’au’u i lo latou olaga fa’alea’oa’oga, o se fiifiliga lelei mo le lumana’i o Amerika Samoa.” Na ia fa’amanatu foi i le au fa’au’u, o lo’o ta’oto i o latou lima le avea o i latou ma ni ta’ita’i lelei, auā le poto ma le tomai a’o sauni e ulufale atu i galuega i le lumana’i.
O le afioga le Kovana, Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula, na saunoa ma fa’afetaia le osigataulaga ma le naunauta’i na fa’apea ona la’asia mai e le au fa’au’u se’ia o’o le aso nei. “O se aso matagofie lenei aso i lo outou ausia o le umi o la outou sailiga, tou te manatua nisi na avatu lu’itau ma tūtū i outou tafatafa i so’o se ala na outou uia.” Na fa’asoa foi le Kovana ma momoli se savali mo le au fa’au’u e tapasā ai latou i le olaga atoa. “E le‘o le mea e te auauna ai e tāua tele, ae o le auala tatou te auauna atu ai i isile mea tāua.” Saunoa le Kovana “E tele ala ese’ese o le ā outou uia, o a’afiaga ma fitā tou te feagai, aemaise o le ā outou taulimaina ni tofiga e fa’atino ai la outou auaunaga i so’o se tulaga, ae ia tumau pea lo outou ola auauna ma le tautua fa’amaoni.”
Na fa’aiu lana saunoaga i lona fa’amalo ma le fa’afetai mo le Vasega 2026, ma fa’aalia le agaga mitamita o le Teritori ona o tulaga ua o latou ausia e fai ma sao i o latou nu’u.
O le susuga ia Daniel Helsham, o ia fo’i o le Fa’atonu o le Ofisa o Fa’ato’aga, o le Lauga na a’ami o le aso, e silia ma le sefulu tausaga o galue i le Kolisi Tu’ufa’atasi i le vaega o le Land Grant Program, sa ia fa’aalia lona agaga fiafia i le au fa’au’u ma fa’ailoa atu ina ia saunia lelei e ulufale atu i ni galuega o le a o latou filfilia, ma ni lu’itau fou o le a feagai ma i latou.
Na tu’ualalo le Fa’atonu ia Helsham i le au fa’au’u ina ia fa’aaoga o latou aoga mo se fa’amoemoe e sili atu. “E tele tagata popoto na a’oa’oina i le lalolagi, ae o le mea e sili atu o le alofa. Ia tu’u atoa lo latou poto ina ia ausia ai nisi mea fou, ma fa’asoa atu i nisi ese’esega e sili atu nai lo mea na a’oa’oina ai le tagata lava ia.’ Sa ia fa’amalosi foi le au fa’au’u ina ia fa’aaoga lo latou poto ma le tomai e saofagā atu mo le lumana’i manuia o Amerika Samoa.
O lenei sauniga e toa 75 i latou na fa’au’uina mai le Kolisi Tu’ufa’atasi, fa’atasi ai ma le 18 o le au fa’au’u mai le Kolisi ma Iunivesite o lo’o toe fo’i mai e talia aloa’ia mo latou taunu’uga tau a’oa’oga. E toe tu’uina atu le fa’amālō mo le Vasega Fa’au’u, e mitamita pea le atunu’u ona o la’asaga ua outou ausia, ia fa’aauau pea i le manuia lo outou tauiviga ma taumafaiga auā so outou lumana’i lelei, ma le lumana’i o Amerika Samoa.
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