More Prizes, Graduation, and the Prom……..

We knew this would be a hectic week and it hasn’t disappointed us. After a long Monday missionary run we had the Goodlets over for dinner. Then Tuesday was the Pesega College prize giving. It lasted three hours and fifteen minutes. I couldn’t believe how it went on and on. I called the Stonehocker’s over at Savaii later in the day for some class information and they told me their prize giving there went four and one half hours, so I am not going to complain. The first picture is of our Principal and vice principal, and the next is of the Principals of the middle school and Sauniatu.

 All the high school student body and many, many parents are in attendance. 

This is a picture one of the students took of Gramma and me as they were setting on the floor in front of us. We decided it was not the most flattering angle to have a picture taken. 

These next pictures is of Sister Goodlet giving out some home econ awards, and they played music during short breaks and people like this Gramma would get up and dance to the wild music.

They give out many awards, but these are the “major” awards including the Valedictorian and Salutatorian (the big trophy’s).

This is the Samoan version of the “coaches” on the staff trying to not be involved. The second picture is of the Sister teachers sitting together on the other side.

This picture I took in front of the gym. The beautiful Samoan Apia Temple in the distance looks like the Idaho Fall Temple from most places on campus. It reminds us of home.

If you win a big prize at the end you have to dance in front of the group. Then the staff dances. Some decided not to dance.

Prize giving is a big deal, but graduation is a really big deal! Gramma and I both participated in graduation. She, after weeks of practice, conducted the Class of 2014 in a special spiritual choir number. I got to give the closing prayer. The students pictured here are waiting to march in. The Faculty pictured waiting to lead them in.  The audience pictured waiting for the big moment.

We all march in. The fellow in the white shirt in this picture is the Minister of Education for the nation of Samoa. He was the main speaker and gave high praise to the Church Schools in Pesega. He consider's them the standard that he hoped the rest of the island could reach. It was nice to know that Gramma and I are a small part of the program here.

Here is Gramma directing the choir. The second picture is after the closing prayer and they did their class dance on the stage. Samoans seem to dance at everything.

Here is a picture of a student with three of our teachers and it is an example of what happens here. She is weighed down with flower and candy leis.

 We had a staff lunch after graduation in the library and gifts were presented to the Goodlets and the Minister of Education. The Goodlets got a talking chief staff and “whip”. When the talking chief stands with the staff in his hand and whips his back four times with that whip that means it is time to listen. The Minister got one of those neat long boats.

The Prom was that night and we took a few pictures of it. They dress in their best and are very well behaved.

Many, if not most, came with family to chaperone. 

The Seniors did that dance they did on stage after graduation here at the prom. It is like a Samoan line dance. It is wild! 

That was only the first three days of the week. We spent the rest covering and storing things in our office, getting all the late assignments in from teachers, and Gramma rehearsing with the stake choir for conference Sunday (we will be getting a new Stake President). She is also helping with a quartet for the Christmas choir show on Friday for the Stake. We have to move to another building with the rest of the administrative staff for the holiday's. Contractors are going to be doing some work in the office area and upstairs where we are. We hope internet, printers, and other things work during the break as we prepare for next term. We love you all, hope your ready for Christmas. Remember, it isn't about "stuff" its about the birth of the Savior. Many people here in Samoa don't have a lot of "stuff", but they do know about the Savior. Be good, pray often, go to church, and always remember others. Tofa Soifua, Elder and Sister Hammond