Looking Back at Last Saturday’s Aso Fa’atasi Run

Looking Back at Last Saturday’s Aso Fa’atasi Run

Assemblymember Furutani Honors NPIEN

On June 10, 2011 at Veterans' Park in Carson. CA, Assemblymember Warren Furutani commenced the First Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Day, as established in proclamation by the California State Assembly. Recognized for community service were Tana Lepule, Executive Director, EPIC, Victor Kaiwi and Jane Ka'ala Pang, Paclfic Islander Community Council, Tommy Fa'avae, Union Leader, and Dr. Victor Thompson, NPIEN Executive Director. Each awardee received the Hands Across the 55th District medallion from the Assemblymember, and a Congressional Certificate from Congressmember Laura Richardson. Dr. Thompson said "It was an honor to stand with individuals who have made a difference in our community. NPIEN continues in its mission to reach out to children, and help them realize that they can achieve greatness." Thanks to all of our supporters, to Joy Janes, and to Lakewood City Councilman Steve Croft for attending the event.

CAMS Graduates of 2011

Elixabeth To'omalatai and Andrew Thompson graduated from the California Academy of Math and Science (CAMS) On June 10, 2011. CAMS is located on the California State University, Dominguez Hills campus in Carson, CA, and affords students the opportunity to take college classes, along with a rigorous math and science curriculum. Elizabeth and Andrew were the two graduates of Pacific Islander ancestry of over 140 total graduates. The Class of 2011 earned over 12 million dollars in scholarships, and 100% will be attending a college or university, including some of the most prestigious universities in the country. CAMS has consistently been ranked as one of the top 20 high schools in America, and was featured this year on CBS News. Congratulations to all of the graduates, Dr. Janice Filer, principal, and the faculty and staff.

NPIEN Celebrates Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The National Pacific Islander Educator Network (NPIEN), in recognition of the Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and NPIEN's 10th Anniversary, embarked on a most ambitious tour of schools, featuring a variety of Guest Speakers and Mentors from the Pacific Islander Community. Due to underrepresentation of Pacific Islanders in many professional fields, the speakers often represented one of the only individuals in their respective fields of choice. The speakers included Brittany Noelani Valdez, USC Graduate student, Falanai Ala, Project Manager and Architect, Long Beach Unified School District,
Dr. Tagaloa-Tulifau, Podiatrist, Diana Faatai, Dean of Students, Carson High School, Meghan Blanco, Attorney, Renay Laguana, Counselor, Cypress College, Dr. Michael Perez, Professor, Cal State University, Fullerton, Mahonri Sapiga, Professor of Social Work, Cal State Dominguez Hills, Dr. Kalani Beyer, Dean, Pacific Oaks College, Pua Palei, Researcher, Long Beach Memorial Hospital, Maleine Manumaleuga, Hitachi Corporation, and Dr. Keith Camacho, Professor, UCLA. NPIEN Executive Director Dr. Victor Thompson and Board Member Falanai Ala also provided ukulele instruction. The schools served were Will Rogers Middle School, Lawndale, Lakewood High School, Davis Middle School, Roosevelt Middle School, and Dominguez High School, Compton, Stanford Middle School, Long Beach, California Academy of Math and Science, Carson, Paramount High School, Artesia High School, Prarie Vista Middle School, Hawthorne, Jordan High School, Long Beach, and Costa Mesa High School, Orange County, California, and Riley Elementary School, Lakewood. NPIEN thanks all of the mentors and schools for their participation.

NPIEN AWARD WINNERS 2011

The National Pacific Islander Educator Network
4425 Pixie Ave.
Lakewood, CA 90712

CONTACT: Dr. Victor Thompson, Executive Director
Phone: (562) 496-2319
Email: npien@npien.com


STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO BE RECOGNIZED AT 10TH ANNIVERSARY EDUCATION CONFERENCE


LAKEWOOD, California, May 20, 2011 – The National Pacific Islander Educator Network (NPIEN) and the Paramount High School Pacific Islander Club (PHSPIC) announce the tenth-annual Pacific Islander Educator Conference, to be held on Saturday, November 12, 2011, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Paramount High School, 14429 S. Downey Ave. Paramount, CA 90723.

The conference will feature workshops for students grades K-12, college/university students, parents, teachers and community members.
An awards luncheon will be held at 12:30 p.m. to recognize outstanding students, educators and community members for their contributions to the Pacific Islander community.
Further information about the conference is available at www.npien.com.

2011 National Pacific Islander Educator Network (NPIEN) Awards Winners
Awardees will be recognized at the November 12, 2011 Annual Education Conference at Paramount High School, Paramount, CA

Christina Diaz Student Scholar Award
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS *=Scholarship Winner
Name/School/School District
Kaalei Faasulu (12)
Jordan High School, Long Beach Unified School District (USD)
Kaisa Grande (10)
Paramount High School, Paramount USD
Lina Keliikoa (10)
Paramount High School, Paramount USD
Stella Maluia
Paramount High School, Paramount USD
Bernadine Mauinatu
Paramount High School, Paramount USD
Bernice Mauinatu (12)
Paramount High School, Paramount USD
Shane Mauinatu (12)*
Paramount High School, Paramount USD
Shawn Mauinatu (11)*
Paramount High School, Paramount USD
Ungarea Palei
Paramount High School , Paramount USD
Ezra Puefua
Paramount High School, Paramount USD
Magdalene Robertson (12)*
Paramount High School, Paramount USD
Robert Ropati (12)
Lakewood High School, Long Beach USD
Norma Soto
Paramount High School , Paramount USD
Mai’le Tauai (12)
Paramount High School, Paramount USD
Jayde Togiaso (11)*
Jordan High School, Long Beach USD

Christina Diaz Student Scholar Award
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS *=Scholarship Winner
Name/School/School District
Diana Enosa (08)
Roosevelt Middle School, Compton Unified School District (USD)
Jazmyne Fuamatu (06)
Roosevelt Middle School, Compton USD
Richard Kaveinga (08)
Will Rogers MS, Lawndale School District (SD)
Deanna Leiataua (07)
Roosevelt Middle School, Compton USD
Tanner Luatua (08)
Roosevelt Middle School, Compton USD
Siale Moniati (06)
Will Rogers MS, Lawndale SD
Charm Ocampo (07)
Roosevelt Middle School, Compton USD
Choa Ocampo (07)
Roosevelt Middle School, Compton USD
Mercy Taale (06)
Roosevelt Middle School, Compton USD
Grace Taale (06)
Roosevelt Middle School, Compton USD
Herby Tuala (08)*
Roosevelt Middle School, Compton USD

Dr. Alofa Tanuvasa Community Award Winners
Name/Organization
Sai Momoli
Pacific American Student Services (PASS)
Lola Sablan-Santos
Guam Communication Network
Vanessa Tuione
Tongan Community Service Center

Sevia Ma’ae Educator Award Winners
Name/School/School District
Lionel Gonzalez, Counselor
Jordan High School, Long Beach USD
Eric Lindshield, Counselor
Paramount High School, Paramount USD