Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he has been informed by the U.S. Navy that Miss Anasitasia Ioane has been accepted for a fully qualified offer of appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.  As the undergraduate college of the U.S. Navy, the USNA prepares young men and women to become professional officers in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.  

The USNA students or cadets are midshipmen on active duty in the U.S. Navy.  They attend the academy for four years, graduating with bachelor of science degrees and are commissioned as ensigns in the Navy or second lieutenants in the Marine Corps upon graduation.

“I congratulate Miss Anasitasia Ioane for her direct appointment to Annapolis and commend her for such an outstanding accomplishment,” said Faleomavaega. “I am confident that Anasitasia’s leadership and service to her school and community will enable her to successfully cope with the highly disciplined environment at the Naval Academy.”

Miss Anasitasia Ioane graduated on June 2, 2010 from Samoana High School as co-Valedictorian of the class of 2010.  For four consecutive years she has represented Samoana in all major Island-Wide competitions, such as the Math, History, Speech Festival, JROTC, and Science Fair.  She has also been a member of the JROTC program for all 4 years and has represented her school as a member of the varsity soccer team. Miss Ioane is also the president of Samoana’s National Honor Society chapter.

“I am the eldest of three daughters and I come from a very humble family,” said Anasitasia.  “My father is a boat builder who has built fautasis for both Samoas over the years and my mother works as a fish cleaner at Star Kist.  I am very thankful and blessed to have been raised in such a wonderful family for they have been a motivation for me to achieve success.”  

Anasitasia attributes her successful appointment to the US Naval Academy to hard work, family support and faith. “Without the help of our Heavenly Father, my family, friends, village,  Maria Fatima Catholic Parish, Samoana High, and everyone who has helped me along the way, I don’t know how I would come this far,” she said.  

“I would especially like to thank Congressman Eni Faleomavaega for nominating me.  It truly is an honor and privilege to be nominated by such a noble person,” said Anasitasia.  “May our Heavenly Father continue to bless our congressman so that he could continue to do the work he does to help the people of American Samoa.”

Anasitasia Ioane is the daughter of Mr. Maselino and Mrs. Atonina Vailu’u of Aua.