The American Samoa Community College (ASCC) Campus Lions Club held their charter night at the ASCC campus to induct its new members and officers on Saturday, April 2nd. The newly-formed Campus Lions Club, made up of ASCC students, provides opportunities for its members to address the unique needs of their campus and to reach out to both the local and the worldwide communities. To fulfill their mission of helping make a difference in the lives of others, the Campus Lions Club will offer their services both on and off campus.

Honorable guests at the charter night included Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman-Radawagen, Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale, ASCC Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Rosevonne Pato, and Environmental Protection Agency Director Ameko Pato. The District 202k Lions Club, based in New Zealand, was represented by District Governor Deidre Bridge, Lion Huck Taingahue, Lion Eric Carter, Lion Wendy Miller and Lion Peter Bursche.

The evening began with an opening prayer conducted by Tualauta District Representative Lion Larry Sanitoa, after which Master of Ceremony, Lion Taotasi Archie Soliai called the meeting to order. Next, PagoPago Lions Club President Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola welcomed everyone and provided a brief history of how she became a member. Attorney General Ale with his keynote speech in which he encouraged the young ASCC Lions to set examples for their peers by reaching out to the community and serving it in any way they can.

Lion Carter then gave a brief history of the Lions Club and a description of its centennial celebration. As it celebrates 100 years of service, Lion Carter explained, the Lions Club can take pride in being the only organization of its kind that has served communities around the world for this long. Following the presentation of awards to Club officers, Club President Tua-Tupuola again took the floor to present the Lions Club purpose and code of ethics.

In his first official address as ASCC Campus Lions Club President, student Aidan King spoke about what inspired him to join. He explained how he grew up around the Pago Pago Lions Club with whom his father, Lion Chris King, is a long time member. Aidan shared how he has always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and believes that completing this milestone in his life not only fulfills that goal, but also promises positive benefits for himself, his peers, and the community in the long run.

The program continued with the Melvin Jones Fellowship District Awards presented to President Tua-Tupuola, Lion Peter Nomura, and Lion Chris King. The evening concluded with a room full of laughter brought on by the Lions Club tradition of tail twisting, in which appropriate stunts, games and a judicious imposition of fines on club members are utilized to promote harmony, good fellowship and enthusiasm. With the imposition of modest fines being a key element of successful tail twisting, on this occasion all funds collected went towards the ASCC Campus Lions Club. Lion Chris King predicted that the ASCC Campus Lions Club members will soon develop its own forms of tail twisting.

Not only are the participating ASCC students now Charter members of the Campus Lions Club, but they also hold the title of centennial members. “These students will help bring the campus community together to address its unique challenges, and they can create real change by connecting students, faculty members and business leaders,” encouraged “senior” Lions Club President Tua-Tupuola.

ASCC Lions Club Charter Officers are Aidan King (President), Vaganafetalai Mamea (Vice President/Membership Director), Ikenasio Tupola (Secretary), and Jessica Casem (Treasurer). The Charter Members are Douglas Brandt, Latu Mauga, Isidro Balza, Avery Mao, Tommi Jones, Christian Tarrant, Asofitu Metuli, Agnes Aneki, Lelei Tago, Liu Lafaele, Vaimalu Vaiau, Ernie Flag Day Seiuli, Leuatea Eveni, Danita Lei-Sam, Jalen Mamea, Motu Sipeli, Faith Talamoni and Maanaima Lang. The club’s Faculty Advisor is Mr. Tero Talamoa.