Newly elected Representative for Tuala–uta Samielu Ioka Ale Meleisea, an alumnus of the American Samoa Community College will keynote the fall 2016 commencement ceremony at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) next Friday, December 16th.
Pending final exam results, 141 students are scheduled to graduate with their degrees and certificates during the 65th Commencement in the college’s history.
Governor Lolo M. Moliga, the Board of Higher Education, and other dignitaries have been invited to the graduation which will take place in the ASCC gymnasium beginning at 10am.
The son of Mr. Peniamina Meleisea and Mrs. Fa’auliuli Meleisea, Samuel has roots in Ili’ili and Fitiuta in American Samoa, and Afega and Poutasi in Samoa.
He attended Tafuna High School, followed by ASCC, where he graduated with an Associate of Science Degree in General Agriculture in 2011.
Continuing on to the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Meleisea completed his Bachelor of Science Degree in Tropical Plant Science and Agro-ecology in 2013.
Concurrent with his college career, for the last five years Meleisea has worked for the National Park of American Samoa (NPSA) as a Park Ranger in both Tutuila and Manu’a, and currently serves as a Rainforest Bio-Technician for the NPSA Rainforest Program.
A first-time contender in the Tuala-uta election Meleisea says, “I could not at first believe it when the election results showed that he had garnered the most votes among the candidates, bringing in 978 votes.”
He said, “I am 25 years old. There are those who are saying that I might be the youngest representative in Fono history.
“But I have to say that I didn’t run to break any records, but to help break down barriers for Tualauta district, our youth, and for American Samoa. I am very honored and humbled by Tualauta district’s vote of confidence.”
Meleisea acknowledged the turnout of young voters of Tuala-uta in last months election.
He says. “The youth are disenfranchised or disconnected with the political process because they don’t see any benefit for them,”
“I hope to be their representative for Tuala-uta district and across American Samoa. I know that there are those who say that I am too young or that youthful vigor will not blend well with the more traditional sense of the Fono.
But I am filled with respect and pride for our traditions, and I am not going to the Fono to challenge our traditions. However, I have been elected to provide a fresh perspective and voice.”
