McDonald’s American Samoa continues to support higher education dreams of the territory’s youth.
Last Friday, at the Tradewinds Hotel, the company awarded $56,000 in scholarships to four local recipients.
Two are graduates of the American Samoa Community College and two are high school graduates, who will be studying at ASCC.
Janella Musni
The off island scholarships of $20,000 each go to:
- Janella Musni, who graduated magna cum laude at ASCC and will be attending Portland Oregon University, majoring in accounting. Her goal is to become a certified public accountant and return home to operate a local accounting firm.
- Ualesi Mua, who gradated cum laude from ASCC has been accepted to Southern Utah University and will major in criminal justice. He plans to return home and work as a law enforcement officer for the government.
Lahaina Mulitalo
The two local scholarships of $8,000 each are awarded to:
- Lahaina Mulitalo, a co-valedictorian of the Fagaitua High School Class of 2023 and
- Misionare Feleti, who graduated from Manumalo High School.
Ualesi Mua
Lahaina is majoring in nursing with eyes set on a medical career, while Misionare will be studying liberal arts.
Misionare Feleti
The McDonald’s scholarships were started by the President and CEO of McDonalds American Samoa, Tautolo Charlie Tautolo, who saw the need to offer higher education opportunities for students, during the time he served as a House representative. Since 2016, McDonald’s has awarded $630,000 in scholarships to over 50 students.
The awards presentation was attended by parents of the recipients, members of the McDonald’s Scholarship Board and company management.
Rev. Sanerivi Multalo offered a prayer and Vice President and Board Chairwoman, Dolores Tautolo, spoke on behalf of the company to congratulate the recipients and their parents.
