Gaining an education to provide and prepare

Siona Samoala expresses his honor and privilege of being first in his family to graduate from BYUH

BY LISI TIAFAU

Siona Samoala is the first in his family to receive a bachelor’s degree from BYU–Hawaii and said he feels honored and excited to graduate despite the ongoing pandemic.

Samoala, a senior from Samoa majoring in hospitality and tourism management, is among those who are graduating virtually for Fall Semester 2020.

According to Samoala, he served in the Honolulu Hawaii Mission from 2014 to 2016. He said, “Whenever we visited the temple, we drove by the school campus. Seeing so many different cultures and students from my country inspired me to come back and study here. “My older siblings attended our local university in Samoa. As the first to graduate from BYUH, it is an honor and a privilege.”

He stated he wants to set an example for his younger siblings, nieces and nephews to follow. “BYU–Hawaii provides both physical and spiritual education, and I want them to experience it too.”

He shared an important lesson he learned while in school. “Being at BYUH helped me be independent and prepared me for the future.”

Siona and Sarah Samoala and their daughter Talia. Photos by Evan Jones

Siona Samoala is now married to Sarah Samoala with two kids.

Samoala explained he wasn’t prepared for the major changes caused by COVID-19, but “I know my Heavenly Father will never leave us during difficult times, and I felt the spirit with me helping me get through it.”

He said what scared him the most was not being able to secure a job when he graduates. However, he feels grateful for the support from his family here and back home and in-laws. He said, “My wife has been my greatest motivator. Without her support and her help, I could not finish this semester strong.”

He added another reason he wanted to gain an education at BYUH was so he could help his family back home in Samoa. “My parents sacrificed so much for me to be able to get a good education, and I want to make them proud and provide for them,” he said.

Sarah Samoala said, “Siona is a hardworker and he was able to manage schoolwork with family.” She said he has helped her become a better person through his example and love. She said, “I love the special relationship he has with God and the spiritual side of him. He speaks with the voice of angels.

“He makes me want to be better not only in the worldly things, but also spiritually.” They recently welcomed their second daughter during the pandemic.

Iosefa Tiafau, a former registered nurse from Samoa, said when he and his wife first moved to BYUH, Siona Samoala was among the people who helped his family settle in here.

“During the first weeks in TVA, we were struggling with basic things,” like not having food, essential appliances and other things, Tiafau said. “He would check up on us and give us those necessities.”

Tiafau said Samoala is a very friendly and loving person. “He is a great friend, and we are very happy for his accomplishments. He made his family and village proud,” Tiafau said.

Samoala’s brother, Enosa Samoala, said he and his parents in Samoa are happy and proud of their brother and son. Enosa Samoala said his parents told Siona Samoala, “Malo le tau,” which means congratulations on his victory of success in education.