NPIEN Celebrates API Festival at Compton Schools

NPIEN Members celebrated with the Compton Unified School District (USD)at its district-wide festival on May 22, 2010. Nearly 200 student, teachers, parents, and community members joined in the festivities at Rosevelt Middle School in Compton, CA. Cultural exhibits featured the nations of Japan, China, the Phillipines, Cambodia, and Samoa, and NPIEN had an educational display. A scrumptious lunch included a Filipino roast pig (lechon) and other exotic foods. Dances and music were showcased by school district teachers and guests, and students from Davis Middle School and Roosevelt Middle School. Boy Scout Troop 148 presented the flags of the island nations. NPIEN President Falanai Ala and Compton USD Senior Director Dr. Joe Buenavista were the keynote speakers. NPIEN Board Members and Staff Lopaka Faria, Judy Ann Sanchez, Martha Donnenfield, Nikki Wood-Perkins, and Tino Andres joined President Ala in a most enjoyable celebration!

Attorney Meghan Blanco Visits CAMS

Meghan Blanco With CAMS Students

Attorney Meghan Blanco spoke to students at a lunch time forum at the California Academy of Math and Science (CAMS), located at the California State University, Dominguez Hills campus in Carson, CA. CAMS is renown for its emphasis on mathematics and science-related fields of study, yet some of the students at the meeting expressed an interest in pursuing a career in law. Blanco has ancestry in Saipan, an island in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, and Guam, and is one of a handful of Pacific Islander attorneys on the US Mainland. Blanco worked for a private firm, before becoming a federal prosecutor. She spoke to the students about the challenges of selecting the right college, becoming independent for the first time, and what the law profession is about. NPIEN thanks Meghan Blanco for her commitment to serving Pacific Islander youth, and Dr. Janice Filer, Principal, for hosting this forum commemorating the Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

SAI AWARDS GALA BENEFITS NPIEN

Together Samoa's Cimone (right) and Nemaia Satele were the Youth Award Recipients at the 2010 SAI (Samoan Achievers International) Awards Gala, held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Long Beach, CA. Over 400 enjoyed this black tie event. NPIEN Board Members Falana'i Ala, Rita Scanlan, David Brown, Martha Donnenfield (husband Steve), Nikki Wood-Perkins, and Eugene Mafi (wife Dr. Gabriela Mafi) were seen at the SAI scene. The theme, "Embracing Our Dreams" was SAI's charge to students to strive for excellence. SAI recognizes and honors Samoan community members who have succeeded in their professions and generously given of their time to the Samoan people. The National Pacific Islander Educator Network (NPIEN) was the main beneficiary of this year's SAI Awards Ceremony. Faleomavaega Falana'i Ala was the SAI Chairman and Emcee. Traditional dances were performed by the SAI Awards' Samoan Children's Performing Group, with music by Natusol, and Top Hawaiian Artist Jobob Taeleifi. Other Award Winners were Military, CSM Iuniasolua Savusa, who also keynoted at the event, Entertainment, The Katina's, Culture, Muliagatele Fuamauga Porotesano, Senior Citizen Maulolo Tom Thompson, Organization, The AIGA Foundation, Business, Tauiliili Henry Mataali'i (posthumous), Health, Dr. Kurene Ma'o, Education, Dr. Adele Satele-Galea'i, Government, The Honorable Eni F.H. Faleomavaega, and Lifetime Achievemt, Pat H. Luce. NPIEN thanks SAI, and recognizes its own members Falana'i Ala, Rita Scanlan, and David Brown, who served on the organizing committee.

NPIEN Northern CA Conference - Connecting

The National Pacific Islander Educator Network's (NPIEN's) Northern California Chapter (NCC) held its second annual education conference on May 15, 2010 at California State University East Bay (CSUEB), Hayward, CA. The conference theme was "Cultural Connections to Higher Education." Over 175 attendees enjoyed three workshop strands, Pacific Islander entertainment, and of course, authentic food prepared by Fairfield Island Treats. CSUEB President Dr. Mohammad Qayoumi, NPIEN NCC President Soledad Santos, NPIEN Executive Director Dr. Victor Thompson, CSUEB Pacific Islander Student Club (PISC) President Norah LeDoux, and Conference Chair Ben Servino provided opening remarks, with prayer by Reverend Alexander LeDoux of the Samoan Christian Fellowship, Fairfield Assembly of God. CSUEB Staff Nancy Martinsen, Samantha Harker, and Laty Johnson provided financial aid and scholarship information for the audience, consisting of students, parents, and educators. A Career Strand featured Aubrey Ramos, Career Consultant, Dr. Hope Crstobal, Clinical Psychologist, Cimone Satele, Research Associate and Together Samoa Founder, and Matekihelea Fakava of Kaiser Permanente. The Keynote Speaker was Michael Migetu Tuncap, UC Berkeley Ethnic Studies Instructor. Students provided entertainment featuring cultural dance and music. The performers included Evergreen Valley College Pacific Islander Club, Samoan Christian Fellowship, and CSUEB PISC members, including a finale Samoan taualuga dance by Norah LeDoux. A viewing of a new PBS documentary, "The Insular Empire: America in the Marianas" concluded the conference. NPIEN congratulates NPIEN Northern California Chapter, and thanks its conference sponsors: CSUEB Pacific Islander Student Club, Associated Students Inc., ASI Diversity Center, APIAFSA, Samoan Christian Fellowship, Together Samoa, Chi Rho Omicron, and M. Rex/NCSMKO.