The American Samoa Community College (ASCC) – Agriculture, Community and Natural Resources (ACNR) Division 4-H Program celebrated the establishment of the Nuuuli Vocational Technical High School (NVTHS) – Building, Construction, and Technology (BCT) 4-H Club, the first 4-H High School Charter Club in American Samoa, and the first induction of student members. “The purpose of the club is to ensure students will apply the skills they learn from BCT to create different projects using their hands and creative minds, and share it with the community,” said Club Advisor and NVTHS BCT Instructor Kenneth Jagon.

For the past two years, Jagon and ASCC-ACNR Extension Program Coordinator and 4-H Program Manager Tialavea Molly Asifoa-Lagai have worked together to establish the 4-H Club. ASCC-ACNR also assisted Jagon with navigating the charter process and provided materials for several hands-on learning projects. Being a 4-H Charter Club authorizes the use of the 4-H name and emblem, fundraising using the 4-H name, and carrying out the 4-H educational program.

“Becoming a charter means a lot to me, and my students are extremely proud to be official 4-H members”, said Jagon. “Now that we are officially a charter club, we can do more community service projects and our club members can explore more opportunities provided by 4-H regarding their future careers.”

A ceremony was held at the NVTHS to induct students as members of the NVTHS-BCT 4-H Club and to acknowledge the club receiving charter status. A total of 18 students were inducted, each receiving a membership certificate, 4-H pin, and ID. Several parents and faculty members were also in attendance. After students were inducted, the ASCC-ACNR 4-H Agents Toepo Leiataua and Elenoa Taisali presented the official U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) charter certificate, signed by the Secretary of Agriculture’s designated representative, to Club Advisor Jagon and NVTHS Principal Dr. Valasi Apulu.

“This is a great for accomplishment for the Nuuuli Vocational Technical High School and a milestone for the 4-H Program in American Samoa,” said Asifoa-Lagai. “It is through community partnerships and collaboration, such as with Kenneth and the NVTHS-BCT 4-H Club, that the 4-H Program is truly able to provide guidance for the youth and develop them into community leaders.”

The 4-H Youth Development Program is the youth outreach program of the ASCC-ACNR Extension Program. 4-H stands for head, heart, hands, and health, and the program seeks to promote positive youth development, facilitate learning, and, through the extension program, to engage youth in work to enhance the quality of life in their community. For more information about the 4-H Youth Development Program, please call ASCC-ACNR at 699-1575 or visit the website www.amsamoa.edu.