Lets hear it for our Poetry Out Loud winner, Hazel Ipuniuesea Leo of Iakina Adventist Academy,
She advanced to the Top 8, to compete in the 3rd Round, and definitely made her presence felt at the nationals in Washington D.C.
Making it that far is quite the feat—especially as a sophomore student who is fairly new to this competition, on a national stage.
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In the Region 3 Semi-finals, Hazel competed with winners from 17 other states. Another Samoan was in the semi-finals, Ms. Brigitta Palepa Taaga who represented Alaska.
The American Samoa Council on Arts Culture and Humanities, who sponsored the local Poetry Out Loud competition and Hazel’s participation in the nationals, said, “To Ms. Hazel Leo, you have made your territory more than proud. We know that you’re on the right direction; we see how bright your future is; and we cannot wait to see your development and action, not only in this competition, but in other areas of the literary arts. We take our hats off to you, and commend all of your efforts.”
In addition, the ASCACH is indebted to Ms. Leo’s chaperone, Ms. Jessebeth Ropeti of Iakina Adventist Academy. “We believe wholeheartedly that our champion had the right person in her corner.
“And we thank you for all of your tremendous work in coaching and caring for Ms. Leo, from the registration process for POL Nationals all the way to D.C., and rooting from the audience section during the regional semi-final. It’s been an awesome experience!”
