OCAPICA Financial Aid Workshop

The Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander CommunityAlliance (OCAPICA) Soar Afterschool Program and the Office of State Senator Lou Correa of the 34th District in partnership with California Cash for College (CCFC) will present a free financial aid workshop for both youth and their parents. The workshop will help and explain Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), grants, and loans. In addition through the generous funding of The Education Financing Foundation of California, one high school senior who participates in the workshop and files required forms by the March 2, 2009 will be placed in a pool of qualifying applicants to win a $1,000 scholarship. The workshop is entirely free of charge through generous funding from Orange County United Way. The workshop will be held at the RanchoSantiago Community College District Building (Boardroom) at 2323 N.Broadway, Suite 107N (cross street is West Santa Clara Avenue) in SantaAna on Saturday, January 17, 2009 from 10:00AM-12:00PM.

To RSVP or for more information, parents and students are encouraged to call Jennifer Kuo or Nikki Nguyen at OCAPICA at (714) 636-9095 for English. For both Vietnamese and Korean please call (714) 558-4400 and ask for either My-Dung Tran or Shawn Kim. Please RSVP as soon aspossible to reserve a spot since participation will be guaranteed to the first fifty that register. Priority will be given to high school seniors but all youth are welcomed. Youth are highly encouraged but notrequired to bring both personal and parents' income and tax information. Established in 1997, OCAPICA is a non-profit organization whose missionis to build a healthier and stronger community by enhancing the well-being of Asians and Pacific Islanders through inclusive partnerships in the areas of service, education, advocacy, organizing,and research.

Seasons Greetings

On behalf of the Board of Directors, we wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year 2009! We look forward to continuing our mission to work together with the total village to network, and leverage resources, including the important people resource, to best serve our most important resource, students, their parents, and the teachers that serve them. Thanks to each of you for your inspiring and encouraging words, financial contributions, and ongoing support.

SAMOAN AUTHOR SIA FIGIEL COMING TO LONG BEACH

The California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) Pacific Islands Club is hosting a literary event called "Sia Figiel & Friends" on January 9, 2009 at CSULB in
Southern California. Renown Samoan writer Sia Figiel and the literary work of
other Pacific Islander authors will be featured.

For further information and to RSVP, visit:
http://www.pacifikavoice.com/home

Thompson Attends Supervisor Knabe Ceremony

I was honored to represent NPIEN at Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe's Oath of Office Ceremony at the Hall of Administration in downtown Los Angeles on November 21, 2008. Supervisor Knabe has been a loyal NPIEN supporter, and annually provides official scrolls for our students, teachers, and community members honored at the Annual NPIEN Awards Ceremony. Additionaly, the supervisor has sponsored a bus to transport students from their respective schools to the annual NPIEN education conference. Hughes Middle School of the Long Beach Unified School District rode on this year's bus. I met Los Angeles County Board of Education Vice President Angie Papadakis, my boss Dr. Darline Robles, Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools, Governor Pete Wilson, and Long Beach resident Governor George Deukmejian at the ceremony. Following the ceremony, I attended a reception at the Music Center, and enjoyed a good breakfast with Lakewood Chamber CEO John Kelsall and Gateway Business Bank's Leigh Clausen. It was a great opportunity to attend this important event, and to represent Pacific Islanders. NPIEN sends a special greeting and Mahalo to Erin Stibal, Supervisor Knabe's Field Deputy who is always looking out for us.

Tanimoto-Matsuura and Scanlan Named to NPIEN Board

The NPIEN Board took action this evening, at its annual Holiday Party/Board Meeting and named Rita Scanlan and Aileen Tanimoto-Matsuura as members of the Board. Rita is owner of PasifikBridge, an online resource for books, art, and artifacts of the Pacific Island cultures, based in Long Beach, CA. Aileen is a Home Economics Teacher at Paramount High School, Paramount Unified School District (Los Angeles County), and Pacific Islander Club Advisor. Congratulations! The Board signed its holiday cards for sponsors and supporters, enjoyed a delicious potluck meal, and the sounds of the ukulele and piano. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year 2009! The next board meeting will be its January 23, 2009 Retreat at Gateway Business Bank in Lakewood, CA.

NPIEN SALUTES TONGAN TROOPS

The troops from the Kingdom of Tonga were the latest to leave Iraq. Thirteen other countries have also pulled out. Tongan Marines, in a Los Angeles Times article on December 5, 2008, performed the Sipi Tau at a farewell ceremony in Baghdad. The number 2 US Commander in Iraq, Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin, commended the troops for their "high, infectious morale." It was also noted that the culture is one of friendship. We thank you for your service, which has helped make our world a safer place. You have served and represented us so well, and all Pacific Islanders should be very proud of you.

Dr. Aloha's New Book Just Released!

2007 NPIEN Conference Keynote Speaker Saitia Fa'aifo, Dr. Aloha, has just released his newest motivational book, Seven Letters to Live By. Along with his previous two books, The Riches of Respect and The Rewards of Respect, Dr. Aloha tells his important personal story of how he overcame adversity and cultural obstacles to become a successful corporate executive and motivational speaker. Call (800) 288-4677, ext. 5454 for more information. You can also find more information at www.npien.com
or http://www.iuniverse.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000110518