Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Six top finalists at this year’s American Samoa Science Symposium have earned the honor of representing American Samoa at the 2025 Hawaii and Pacific Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) in Honolulu, Hawaii. The event, organized by the Hawaii Academy of Science, provides a platform for students across the Pacific to showcase their scientific research and innovation. The event is a STEAM-focused competition designed to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators poised to tackle the challenges of the future.
The Program, sponsored by the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force, promotes original research and experimentation in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at the high school level. It celebrates outstanding achievements by high school students through competitive presentations and public recognition.
The local symposium, held on November 22, 2024, at the Department of Youth and Women’s Affairs Conference Room in Tafuna, featured presentations from 11 finalists, whose work was selected from 28 original student research papers. These papers underwent rigorous evaluation by a panel of off-island judges comprising esteemed scientists and university faculty.
2024 American Samoa Science Symposium Winners
- 1. First Place: Kim Gerald Garcia, Fa’asao Marist High School
- 2. Second Place: Alana Joserose, Pacific Horizons School
- 3. Third Place: Renee Dunson, Leone High School
- 4. Fourth Place: Amelie Chen, Pacific Horizons School
- 5. Fifth Place: Daniel Lee, Pacific Horizons School
- 6. Sixth Place: Kathleen Sagapolutele, Fa’asao Marist High School
- 7. Seventh Place: Alshadai Siaosi, Manumalo Academy
- 8. Eighth Place: Myron Faimalo, Tafuna High School
- 9. Ninth Place: Tamara Aifesili, Leone High School
- 10. Tenth Place: Falaga’i Fuiava, Manumalo Academy
- 11. Eleventh Place: Giang Hoang, South Pacific Academy
The ASDOE extends its heartfelt congratulations to all 28 student researchers who submitted papers and participated in this year’s competition.
RECOGNITION AND NEXT STEPS
All finalists received a Certificate of Merit and a trophy in recognition of their outstanding contributions to scientific research. The top six finalists are preparing to represent American Samoa at the 2025 Hawaii and Pacific JSHS in Honolulu, which will take place from January 18-19, 2025. There, they will present their research to panels of esteemed judges and compete for additional honors during the event’s final presentations and awards ceremony.
THANKING THE JUDGES
ASDOE thanks the distinguished judges who contributed their expertise to evaluate the students’ research papers and presentations:
- Dr. Lawrence Agodoa, Former Director, Office of Minority Health Research Coordination, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Bethesda, MD
- Dr. Valentin Cracan, Associate Professor, Scintillon Institute, Scripps Research, San Diego, CA
- Dr. George S. Hui, Research Professor, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, Hawaii
- Natasha Siaivao Selai Ripley, Research Scientist, National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, Pago Pago, American Samoa
- Jewel Tuiasosopo, Program Manager, American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency, Pago Pago, American Samoa
- Mata’uitafa T. S. Faiai, Ph.D. Candidate, Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
Special Thanks
On behalf of ASDOE Director Talauega Dr. Samasoni Asaeli, ASDOC extends gratitude to all educators, mentors, parents, sponsors, and supporters who contributed to the success of this event. Special acknowledgment is given to Dr. Salote V. Aoelua-Fanene, Director of the Department of Youth and Women’s Affairs, for her partnership and for providing the conference venue.
This initiative was made possible through the efforts of the Science/Health Division, Division of Curriculum and Instruction (DCI), and generous funding from the USDOE Consolidated Grant of Insular Affairs. We also extend our thanks to our sponsors, McDonald’s American Samoa and Mabuhay Travels, for their valuable partnership.
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