TONGAN YOUTH ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS

T.Y.A.T. TIMEVOLUME 2, ISSUE 9 NEWSLETTER DECE MBER 2011

2 ND S IX -W EEKS A AND AB HONOR ROLL PERFECT AT TENDANCECONGRATULATIONS to the parents and the following students for making the perfect attendance and A and AB Honor list in the 2nd 6-weeks of the 2011-2012 school year. Matua tauhi fanau, oku mau fiefia kemau kaunga kau mo kimoutolu hono fakailongai e ako lelei moe feinga fakaatamai oku fakahoko e hoo mou fanau. Oku i ai ae mahino foki, koe ola lelei moe lava mea ae fanau he malae fakaako oku makatuunga ia mei tauhi lelei moe poupou malohi oku mou fakahoko e kimoutolu ae ngaahi matua tauhi fanau. Students, keep up with your perfect attendance for a chance to win a free car from the HEB -ISD and Moritz Kia of Hurst. Help your Mom and Dad when you go to college, win this car so they dont have to worry about your ride during college! Special congratulations and recognitions to all the straight A students! We look forward to the first time a Tongan student becomes the Valedictorian!!!! A HONOR ROLL: Emma Kelela Manuatu Parent, Taeao Manuatu, THS. Floyd Panapa Kisena Parents Ron and Karen Kisena of THS. Irene Francesca MafuahinganoTHS, mom, Catherine Uhi-Chatman. Kalisi Ovava Logan Parents Lavelua Benton, Siasi Katolika Loma, THS Silolo Toutai Ungounga Rosa Ungounga, THS Tupou Veiongo HokafonuParents Simi & Kona Wolfgramm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -Day Saints, THS Vika Ashlee Maumalanga Parents, Tevita Leota & Ana Maumalanga of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, THS Ana Jeanette Moores Soana and Joe Moores, Siasi Katolika Loma, LD Bell Malia Feao Ahovelo Parents, Makisi Ahovelo and Tilisa Veimau, Siasi Katolika Loma, LD Bell *Note: No AB Honors for Bell during the 2nd 6-weeks. Kapuana Nadine Latu, Karen Christina Sili, Koheleti Siketi, Kristopher Michael Homer Babcock, Lemaefe Savini Galeai, Losaline Muivai Falahola, Maka Tongia, Marie Stella Elisiva Tonga, Mele Seini Ahovelo, Melenau Shayna-Francis Vi, Melesungu Fuutoa Aleamotua Jr., Mosese Vakasiuola, Nikolasi Fonua-Kihehau Mangisi, Paea Laulea Vakauta, Paul Malungahu Langi, Richard Lolohea, Sandra Fiotelisa Fifita, Selena Kalolaine Teumohenga, Sioasi Fae Moeakiola, Sioasi Otini Grewe Jr., Simoa Manavaofa Ahovelo, Sione Takafonualalo Funaki Pauta, Tomi Teau Finau, Viliami Ilaiu Loko Moeakiola, Yolanda Fieilo Lolohea. Trinity Perfect Attendance:

POINTS OF INTEREST 2nd Six weeks A honor roll 2nd Six-weeks AB Honor roll 2nd Six-weeks Perfect Attendance UT Arlington-Important Dates Statistics for Tongans at Trinity and LD Bell Farewell to Officer Richard Wong

Upcoming Events & Dates

December 9th-end of 3rd six weeks Winter Break Dec.19th January 2nd January 1st-Deadline for most college scholarship applications 1st College Tour ae Fanau Tonga-TCC-Friday, January 6, 2012, leaving from Trinity High School. PLEASE BRING $5 for lunch. TRiO-January 2012, Agnieszka Beavers will contact students who signed up at the TYAT College Night event. Fepueli, 2012tonu ke osi fakahu e FAFSA application o kapau oku hoko atu e fanau ki he kolisi 2nd College Tour ae Fanau Tonga-College of choice TBA, March 2012, on a Saturday -TBA.

Mele Ahovelo, Simoa Ahovelo, Melesungu Aleamotua Jr., Christian Cocker, Tomi Finau, LD Bell Perfect Attendance: Sione Pauta, Sioasi Grewe Jr., Laifa Leiloa Burgess, Moronae Talo Helu, Tupou Hokafonu, Laiatea Burgess, Nifae Semisi Inoke Langi, Paul M. Langi, Burgess, Ana Jeanette Moores, Brianna Logan, Kalisi Logan, Mohelika Sianeha Uasike. Jessica Maafu, Irene Mafuahingano, Amusiaea MakaTrinity AB Honor Roll: hununiu Jr., Nikolasi Mangisi, Alaimaluloa Lupe Pauu Kautai, Emma Manuatu, Vika MaumaBenjamin Cocker Fiefia, Brianna langa, Moeiini ReilFrances Logan, Christiana Grace ly, Koheleti Siketi, Tavo, Dousanun Matangiake Presley Jason TonMakasini, Emeline Kelsie Folau, gia, Salesi Uhatafe, Hiva Lutui, Ilaisaane Fatafehi Tevita Tiliti UnKaihau, Ilaise Kim Kasitati, gounga Jr., Silolo Jessica Akanete Maafu, Joyce Ungounga, Kalikopuakalehua Camela Finau, Kailahi Kautai, Vaenuku, Mosese Vakasiuola Kalolaine Kuuipo Lomano,

Special Thanks to Analyn VimahiWed like to take this time to thank Analyn Vimahi, our former Newsletter Editor for all the wonderful support and work she has done for the Tongan youth of Texas. On behalf of TYAT, we express our sincerest thanks to her and her family for all their support. We look forward to working with her in the future.

Remembering Officer Richard WongEuless Police Officer Richard Wong was a resource officer for Trinity High School. He was loved by the students because they knew he loved them. His actions have impacted generations of our past and present Trinity High School students. He was the 2009 recipient of the Blackie Sustaire Award. His funeral was held in the Trinity High School Auditorium on November 25th, 2011. Officer Wong affected the lives of many Tongan students over the past 18 years and his passing was deeply felt by everyone. Many Tongan students attended a candlelight vigil the night he passed away and again over the days before his internment. Malo Aupito Officer Wong for the love you showed the Tongan students of Trinity HS. ~TYAT

Special Welcome to Soana Tavo MooresWed also like to welcome the addition of our newest member to TYAT, Soana Moores. We look forward to achieving greater things with her contribution to helping the Tongan youth of Texas go to college!

Tarrant County CollegeImportant Dates!Preview Day: January 6, 2012; 9 a.m. What to Bring: warm clothes, $5 for lunch Rules: Permission slips must be signed by aguardian and turned in no later than 5 days before the tour. Meet: All pre-approved students please meet the bus in front of the Hall of Flags.

STATISTICS FANAU TONGA HIGH SCHOOL: Koe fakamatala eni ae

University of TexasArlington Important Dates!Preview Days: Feb. 4 & March 31, 2012Register at www.uta.edu/admissions/visit Scholarship Deadline: February 15, 2012 www.uta.edu/scholarships / *Must be admitted by Feb. 15th!TYAT will provide rides to all students who sign up to go to UTA. You must call us.

faiakopule o Trinity, Mike Harris, fekauki moe ngaai sitatisitiki oe apiako: Ihe aho ni, Monite, Tisema 5, 2011 koe tokolahi oe fanauako fakakatoa oku ako I Trinity HS koe toko 2,361: koe peseti e 41% koe kau palangi, koe 23% koe kau Hisipeniki, koe 17% koe kau Uliuli, 11% koe kau Esia, koe peseti e 4% koe kakai mei otumotu Pasifiki, koe 3% oku nau mix-ethnic, pea koe peseti e 1% koe kau Initia Amelika. I he vakai fakamuimui taha ki hotau tokolahi he apiako Trinity koe fanau Tonga e toko 92 fakakatoa oku ako ai, koe toko 34 oku nau kalasi 10, koe toko 27 oku nau kalasi 11 pea koe toko 31 oku nau kalasi 12. I LD Bell koe toko 9 fakakatoa oku ako ai, koe toko 3 he kalasi 10, toko 2 he kalasi 11 pea koe toko 4 he kalasi 12. Oku ikai kau foki ae ngaahi high school I Grapevine, Colleyville, Irving, Haltom, NRH, Grand Prairie, Abilene, Houston, Arlington, Keller, etc., etc., he ngaahi fakamatala ni. Koe fakakotoa leva oe seniors I Bell mo Trinity e fakaosi ako I Me, 2012 koe toko 35 pea kapau leva e lava ae fakaamu moe visone ae TYAT, oku tonu leva ke lava atu ae toko 17.5 o kolisi pe iunivesiti. Koe toko 33 fakakatoa ne fakaosi ako mei Trinity mo Bell I Me, 2011 pea koe toko 4 pe nai ne nau lava atu o Kolisi. Oku kei oatu ai pe foki heni ae poupou fakatokilalo maa kitautolu kotoa ae kainga Tongan nofo Tekisisi moe kole ai pe etau fetokoniaki moe fepoupouaki I hono teke ae fanau Tonga o Tekisisi ke hokohoko atu enau feinga fakaako o kapau ko enau fakaamu ia. It is TYATs belief that our 10 year goal of helping to send at least 50% of the graduating senior class to college is going to happen, no question about it!KII ONGOONGO MAKEHE PE-oku ikai kole pe mau ha paanga ae komiti ni mei ha faahinga feituu pe outside resources, tautefito ki he HEB-ISD. Ka iai ha fakamole, oku fua pe ia ehe kau memipa oe komiti neongo ae masiva. Fakamalo loto hounga mooni heni ki he memipa kotoa oe T.Y.A.T.

T ONGAN Y OUTH A SSOCIATION OF T EXASReport any errors, comments or suggestions to Luseane Taai Ka oku ke fakatokangai ha fehalaaki kataki o fetuutaki mai e tokoni lahi ia...malo. MISSION STATEMENT To promote awareness and opportunity for higher education and availability of resources benefiting academic growth and cultural awareness to ease transitions between the Tongan and American culture amongst the Tongan Youth of Texas. MISIONA A E KOMITI Ke fakatokangai a e faingamalie mo e ngaahi tokoni oku ataa ke tokonii etau fanau ke fakalakalaka enau ako fakaatamai mo fakatupulaki honau ulungaanga fakatonga lolotonga enau tupu hake i Amelika ni ko e toutupu o Tonga i Tekisisi.

I AM the Future of Tonga in Texas

Have you noticed the trend? Each year the majority of the graduating Tongan seniors making it to go to college? Have you ever wanted to do something about it? Join T.Y.A.T. today and together we can make a difference in changing the future of the Tongan Community of Texas. If you are serious, reliable and not afraid to learn and grow while working with Palangis, we invite you contact us and see how you can help. Fakaapaapa Atu~TYAT

Follow TYAT on FacebookTYAT CONTACTS & COMMITTEE MEMBERSOfa Faiva-Siale 817-683-4825/ofaakivavau@tx.rr.com Dolly Cocker 817-233-8252/ islanddahlee@hotmail.com Trinity HS Principal: Michael Harris 817-399-3631/ harrism@hebisd.edu LD Bell HS: Donna Paul 817-282-2551/donnapaul@hebisd.edu Newsletter: Luseane Taai 808-225-0657/ngaaefon@gmail.com

Mia Langi, Michele Faletau, Miki Langi, Saane Vakauta, Akesa Paongo, Inga Langi, Tilolou Vaai, Fred Katoa, Petelo Vakauta, Toutai Kautai, Ngia Siale, Nila Kasitati, Finau Siale, Soana Tavo Moores and Taani Langi