Tafuna High School student Deborah Vaiotu is the first place winner of Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata’s Malofie Congressional Art Competition.
Her artwork titled “Motherhood” will be displayed for a year at the US Capitol.
She also won a trip to Washington DC to join all the winners from the other congressional districts.
Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata congratulated all the winners of this year’s Malofie Competition and expressed appreciation to all the participating students, their teachers, this year’s expert judges, and the sponsors.
“Motherhood” by Deborah Vaiotu
Talanoa Lagafuaina also of Tafuna High School, was both second-place and third-place winner, with his artwork “Grandfather” and “Pale Fuiono.”
Talanoa earned the DC trip last year, and shared his experience with the assembled art students.
“I am thrilled to congratulate the winners, and this entire group of 25 wonderful efforts!” said Congresswoman Amata. “I am delighted Congress can take part in promoting art in this way, but the event is made possible by our local generous sponsors and the time of our local artist judges and American Samoa’s educators.”
“Fatherhood” by Talanoa Lagafuaina
She added, “I will enjoy seeing this beautiful first-place art displayed in the U.S. Capitol where thousands of people might see it in just one busy week in Washington. I’m so proud of the quality and effort and creativity of this year’s entire group, and every single one deserves praise.”
Each year, Congresswoman Amata and her local office work in partnership with the American Samoa Department of Education to select the top three standouts, and determine one to represent American Samoa in Washington. Any of American Samoa’s public and private high schools are invited to send entries for the competition.
Each participant will receive a plaque from Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, and received various prizes from sponsors. Congresswoman Amata extends her warmest fa’afetai to the many businesses and individuals who donated and helped make this year’s Congressional Art Competition special for the students.
The judges were Ammon Fepulea’i, Director of the American Samoa Arts Council, Trevor Kaituu – Local Artist & Coral Reef Education and Outreach Coordinator and Voloti Malietoa Program Director of DOE’s Office of Curriculum Instruction.
