Members of the ASCC Student Veterans Organization (SVO) gather in front of the banner on which students were invited to write messages of appreciation to the many veterans and their families as well as the military students at the College. (Courtesy Photo)
Members of the ASCC Student Veterans Organization (SVO) gather in front of the banner on which students were invited to write messages of appreciation to the many veterans and their families as well as the military students at the College. (Courtesy Photo)
ASCC Student Veteran Organization Celebrates Military Personnel
November 16, 2015
By James Kneubuhl, ASCC Press Officer
Last week’s Veteran’s Day celebration gave a student organization at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) a chance to fully engage with all stakeholders on campus involved with the U.S. Military. The ASCC Student Veteran Organization (SVO) strives to unite and promote pride and interaction among veteran students, dependents, and friends. The SVO provides resources, support and advocacy that are needed for active, reserve or former military personnel to succeed in higher education and post-graduation.
In honor of Veteran’s Day, the SVO undertook an activity under the theme, “They Sacrificed their Today for the Safety of our Tomorrow,” which included the creation of a banner on which all ASCC students were invited to write a message of appreciation to their loved ones who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces. The banner will remain on display in front of the Student Learning Assistance Center throughout November. The SVO also acknowledged ASCC staff and faculty veterans and their spouses, and dependents by presenting them with candy leis in appreciation of their services, and made available free treats to all military students and their dependents.
“We wanted to promote awareness, respect, and appreciation of our veteran population in ASCC who are staff and faculty members, as well as student veterans and students currently in the military,” said SVO advisor and ASCC VA Services Counselor Lydian Tinitali. With the SVO having first come together this past spring, Mrs. Tinitali explained that its purpose is to provide assistance and direction to veteran students and their dependents in obtaining all entitled benefits, and to provide a fun and supportive group with which all members can be actively engaged while cultivating utmost respect for the patriotism of those who have served in the line of duty.
The stated goals of the SVO are to engage student veterans, dependents, and friends with student life experience through ASCC student clubs activities; provide beneficial information, resources, assistance, and support for all entitled benefits and opportunities available; and create a fun and academically successful college life experience for student veterans, dependents, and supporters. This semester, SVO members have participated in the Voice Competition and Halloween Costume Contest, both sponsored by the Student Government Association, in addition to their own Veteran’s Day activity. Mrs. Tinitali said the organization remains open to involvement in any future campus activities to engage student participants and motivate self-confidence, fun, support, and a lifelong experience in college, especially for student veterans.
For more information on the ASCC SVO, call the College at 699-9155, extension 426 or email: sservicescounselor@amsamoa.edu.