Scholarships of $1000 each were awarded to 25 high school graduates at the Samoan Heritage Week in Honolulu, last week.
The ELLA, or E Lelei le Atua, scholarships are funded by the budget for Samoan Heritage Week and falls under one of the four pillars of the event, Lou Lumana’i—your future.
The other three pillars are lau aganuu, culture, lau gagana, language and lou soifua maloloina, health.
The Lou Lumana’i, your future pillar focuses on job readiness and higher education.
The acronym ELLA is also an intentional acknowledgement of First Lady Ella Mauga. The first ELLA awards were presented last year.
The eligibility requirements include:
- Being of Samoan descent residing in the State of Hawaii.
- Complete Application
- Minimum 2.5 gpa (official transcript required)
- Acceptance to a 2 or 4-year college/university
- FAFSA eligible (to determine financial need)
- Three recommendation letters
The scholarships were publicized by the ASG Hawaii Office town hall meetings, through the Samoan Heritage initiative website and the American Samoa Government Office – Hawai’i Facebook page. ASG Hawaii staff also canvassed the local high schools to meet with Senior/Career counselors.
The 2023 E.L.L.A. Scholarship Recipients are :
- Abcde Tupa’i
- Alannah Collins
- Aliana Ulukita
- Ana Thompson
- Antonio Steffany-Looney
- Audreanna Ah-San
- Benjamin Brown, Jr.
- Christina Pulusila
- Elolia Tuvaifale-Sheck
- Eryanna Coffin
- Evotia Maino
- Heather Paopao
- Jolie Lemau
- Judy Sefo
- Kira Moananu
- Lamardia Utupo
- Luiama Tofaeono
- Mareta Ta’ase
- Mele Kata
- Raylani Maika
- Rodney Steffany-Looney
- Talosaga Mafatini
- Tanaya Tafa
- Te Kanaelauvaka Tyrell
- Tnias Terry Hunkin
