The Class of 2018 of Pavaiai Elementary School flew white balloons at their graduation ceremomy Friday in a tearful remembrance of their classmate, Tinian Makewijere Tuileto’a Toese.
She drowned at the Pala Lagoon Swimming Center last week during a class outing.
A large portrait of Tinian was placed in the middle of the front row of the graduation class adorned with ulas and bouquets.
Her grieving parents were present.
Mrs Winnie Tuileto’a Toese told KHJ News Tinian “was my eldest and we were so looking forward to taking her to the next step of her life.
“We already made plans of which high school she would be attending.
“I wanted her to go to Samoana so we can go together and after school she can come by my office and hang there until I get off.
“So many dreams and things we wanted for her but they all vanished because she’s gone now. I’m sorry ….I just can’t believe my daughter is gone.”
On a FaceBook post, Tinian’s mother thanked her classmates, friends and relatives for their support and love shown at the Pavaiai graduation with gifts of candy leis and condolences for their beloved daughter.
She also thanked the school staff for preparations for what would have been Tinian’s graduation from elementary school.
She said,”May the good Lord bless each and everyone of you.”
To Tinain’s classmates, Mrs Tuiletoa Toese said,”Be safe and cherish every moment you have with your loved ones especially your parents…they will always be your heroes.
“My daughter left so soon but it wasn’t her time yet and nothing more do I want at this moment but to spend more time with her and that we would’ve said our goodbyes in a loving and special way, our way…”
Meanwhile the Pala Lagoon Swimming Center is sealed off with yellow crime scene tape.
KHJ News has requested Commissioner of Public Safety Le’i Sonny Thompson if the death is being treated as a homicide, versus an accident.
But he has not replied.
There has also been silence from the Department of Education, Pavaiai Elementary and the Pala Lagoon Swimming Center Board on whether there’s any review of school outings, limits on the number of people allowed into the pool, more safeguards added, and other rules as a result of the tragedy.
