Amata Congratulates Close-Up Kids on Trip to Nation’s Capital

Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata’s Washington office was delighted to be visited by American Samoa’s students in the Department of Interior’s Close-Up program. The students arrived over a week ago for their two-week visit to the nation’s capital, where they are visiting many attractions.

The 2018 Close-Up students in the Members’ seats in the House Natural Resources Committee Hearing Room, one of the three Committees on which Congresswoman Amata serves.

“This trip to our nation’s capital is a special opportunity for these students, and our office really enjoyed seeing the group this week,” said Aumua Amata. “Thank you to everyone involved in the program in any way, as all you do is what makes this wonderful experience possible for some of our fine high school students each year.”

The 2018 Close Up students in the American Samoa congressional office in Washington D.C.

The Close-Up program is a federally funded project that allows students from across the nation to visit their legislators in Washington, D.C., and whose mission is to “inform, inspire, and empower young people to exercise the rights and accept the responsibilities of citizens in a democracy.”  In addition, they get the chance to tour the U.S. Capitol and take in the sights in a city that attracts visitors from all over the world, ranging from monuments and memorials to art and history collections.

This year’s students and chaperones:

Tafuna High School 

Geraldine Meridian Aliitaeao Ofisa

Ameperosa Lili Langkilde

Marynita Suluiaigalii Vaigatolo

Faga’itua High School 

Fonaimalo Fuimaono

Tamalii Failauga Faga

Raelyn Agnes Grey

Samoana High School 

Lessei Lorcha Hosanna Perelini

Tautu Lucky Porotesano III

Shanai Seipua Sega

Nu’uuli Vocational High School 

Kuinivia Camila Etevise Atafua

Alexi Tominiko

Leone High School 

Menorah Sene Otineru

Nadia Tinaita’ala Ta’ase

Dorian Salave’a

Manu’a High School 

  Melody Ve’e

Fa’Asao High School 

 Fatu-Chanel Fatu 

Kanana Fou High School 

 Alycia Kristy-Dy Tausaga 

Chaperones 

 Kaylla Turituri 

 Roxanne Sita Salave’a 

“I know that the students are enjoying their time in Washington, and learning a lot too,” concluded Congresswoman Amata. “They’ll return home to American Samoa full of motivation for the future, and I wish them all the best in their educational goals.”

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