Governor Togiola dedicates new shop building at
Nu’uuli Vo-Tech High School
Parents, friends, supporters, faculty, staff members, and students of Nu’uuli Vo-Tech High School witnessed a milestone earlier this week when, over a year after work began, Governor Togiola Tulafono officially dedicated the completed new shop building on the campus of the territory’s only trade school.
The new building is the second phase of a project that cost over $1.7 million and contracted to RM Construction.
During the brief but momentous ceremony, Governor Togiola expressed his gratitude to Director of Education Dr. Claire Poumele and the Department of Education for the successful completion of the two part project that commenced in July 2006.
Governor Togiola said the credit is shared by many and added, “Often during these ceremonies, expressions of gratitude and praise go to this Administration and our government, but it’s important to say that these efforts are collective efforts in collaboration with DOE, Public Works, the honorable representatives of Ituau and Tualauta counties, the principal – Mr. Sagapolutele Vanu Moe, the school administration, faculty and staff, the parents and students of Nu’uuli Vocational Technical High School.”
The new shop building measures 42 feet wide by 112 feet long with a price tag of $468,000. The first part of the project was the construction of a two-story classroom building that cost $1.285 million and was dedicated earlier this year in August.
“We have come together to finalize what was started almost a year and a half ago,” said that Governor. “It is important that we do this because Nu’uuli Vo-Tech has been neglected for so many years. And we will never allow this to happen, again.”
Governor Togiola noted the major improvements carried out on the school campus and said it is imperative that emphasis is placed on the importance of the specialized curriculum that is being taught at Nu’uuli Vo-Tech.
“This curriculum provides you, students, the practical activities related to a specific trade or occupation. You are developing expertise with your participation here. And as you become a learner today, upon completion, American Samoa needs you in the future,” Togiola said. “We dedicated the two story classroom building at the beginning of the school year, and now we officially open this new shop building for you students. We provide these tools, such as this building, for your education, along with hammers, pliers, wrenches, and other tools that are put in your hands by your principal and teachers.”
Governor Togiola addressed the Wildcats and told them that they have an obligation to learn, receive an education, and take advantage of the opportunity offered to them.
“These tools are only as good as you are. If you don’t use them wisely, or you don’t use them to their maximum benefit, then they aren’t any good. They are only as good as you are. So take advantage of this education. Take advantage of the opportunities to learn. And don’t ever stop learning,” the Governor concluded.
Some students have expressed their excitement with the new additions to their campus, saying that the newer classrooms and shop building greatly motivate them to attend classes, now that the learning atmosphere is “better than what it used to be.”
For many years, the campus of Nu’uuli Vo-Tech fell victim to flooding during times of heavy rains. With the new buildings, flooding seems like a thing of the past and the Wildcats who spoke to the Tapuitea have openly expressed their gratitude to the ASG as well as the DOE and the contractors for a job well done.
Now, they say, “the only thing we really want and need now is school bus transportation!”
Currently, the students of Nu’uuli Vo-Tech are often seen hitching rides or walking from the school campus all the way to the Nu’uuli intersection, rain or shine, to catch a bus or hitch a lift home.
|
