We are honored to announce the ten (10) $2,000 USD scholarship recipients of the 2020 SPIO COVID Scholarships Silicon Valley. This project has been made possible in part by a grant from Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

The scholarship recipients showcased tremendous grit and resilience pursuing their degree while enduring the difficulties of a global pandemic. We applaud each scholar for building Pacific Islander presence in higher education and inspiring the next generation of Pacific scholars.

2020 SPIO COVID Scholarship Silicon Valley Recipients:

• AJ Patterson | Mission College

• Falalauola Amanoni | San Jose State University

• Ilaisaane Fakalata | Mission College

• Josiah Keoni Rodriguez | Stanford University

• Kimo Pamintuan | Mission College

• Latahevai Lousi | San Jose State University

• Marianne Siulangapo | College of San Mateo

• Nerrisa Mailo-Tupou | Mission College

• Raveena Singh | Mission College

• Tutoatasi Alaalatoa | Mission College

Learn more about the scholarship recipients below.

AJ Patterson | Mission College

AA in Liberal Arts & Early Childhood Education 2021

At Mission College I will receive an AA in Liberal Arts and an AA in Early Childhood Education in 2021. I am going to transfer to SJSU in the Fall 2021 to get my bachelor's degree in Child and Adolescent Development and should graduate in 2023.

This award can help me pay for my tuition especially when I transfer to SJSU which is very expensive. I am able to continue on my path for an even higher education.

Thank you so much for this award! I really appreciate the help and your contribution.

Falalauola Amanoni | San Jose State University

Bachelor of Kinesiology Sports Management minor in Sociology 2021

This award will help me finish completing my final semesters in getting my Bachelors in Kinesiology and to further my growth in soccer.

Thank you so much for this opportunity, it means a lot to me that I have been selected. I'm very grateful and would love to personally thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Ilaisaane Fakalata | Mission College

Licensed Vocational Nurse 2022

I was admitted into the LVN program at Mission College for Spring 2021. This award will help pay for tuition expenses and my uniform. This will allow me to complete my LVN and become a step closer to my future goal of becoming an RN and Nurse Practitioner.

I am so appreciative of your donation because it will alleviate financial stress off my family and I so that I can complete the LVN program! This is a blessing, thank you doesn’t describe how grateful I am for your donation.

Josiah Keoni Rodriguez | Stanford University

Bachelor of Arts in History 2022

Most significant of the impacts of this award is being able to be further connected to SPIO and the greater Pasifika community. Itʻs important to me that I seek for help from my community for my educational path, because my education has been and will always be dedicated to enriching our community. Because of this generous award during these difficult times, I’ll be better able to finance my undergraduate degree, while also earning my associateʻs degree in Hawaiian Studies. Finding resources to cope with the effects of the pandemic has been difficult and it is an honor to be a part of such a strong community where awards like this are available to students like me.

Mahalo nui and thank you so much to each and every one of the donors for the SPIO COVID-19 Scholarship! I am so deeply grateful to have the opportunity to receive and award like this during these times.

Kimo Pamintuan | Mission College

Associates in Science in Art & Design, Design Emphasis 2020/Web Design Certificate 2020

This scholarship will turn my dream into reality. I will finally be able to purchase a new desktop PC which would help jumpstart my career as a designer. With things as uncertain as they are, who knows how long it would have taken me to save up enough money to buy one on my own. So for that, I'm thankful.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to prove my worth. I'll forever be grateful for your contribution and I will make the best of it.

Latahevai Lousi | San Jose State University

Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies Minor in Sociology 2021

Finalizing my undergraduate degree credits this scholarship will be a cushion that allows me to reach my graduate school goals by providing resources I need to fulfill my remaining required units.

Thank you for your donation. This reward brings me great joy through these trying times.

Marianne Siulangapo | College of San Mateo

Bachelor of Arts in History 2024

The long-term goal for this organization is to see Pacific Islander college graduation rates reach the U.S. national average. I feel incredibly blessed to be apart of this network and to have the privilege of being selected as one of the recipients for this award. This award takes a heavy weight off my back and replaces it with peace of mind towards the stress of having to pay for my school tuition. I hope to one day repay the network by becoming a high school teacher where I can directly give back to my community, and to be an adult face and story I wish I saw in the classroom while growing up.

Words cannot describe my gratitude to the donors who made it possible for ten students to receive such a scholarship during a pandemic. Thank you very much for allowing me to continue my education in pursuit of a humble life.

Nerrisa Mailo-Tupou | Mission College

Associates in Science in Vocational Nursing

This award will go towards my winter classes and books, placing me ahead of schedule on my academic and career plan.

Thank you for your generous donation in providing relief to students like myself, it truly takes a village. Thank you for being apart of my journey and providing opportunities for Pacifica people.

Raveena Singh | Mission College

Biological Sciences AS 2022

It is an honor to be chosen for the South Pacific Islander Scholarship. The following award will benefit me by encouraging me to accomplish my dream goals. Thank you so much for your generosity and support during these rough times.

I am genuinely honored and blessed to have been chosen for the South Pacific Islander Scholarship. Thank you for your encouragement and generosity during these tough times.

Tutoatasi Alaalatoa | Mission College

Fire Science 2022

Receiving this award is such an Honor and privilege. This scholarship will allow more doors to open and give me a greater opportunity to reach my academic goals for the future. Very blessed and grateful to accept this award and I know our people of the Pacific will continue to do great things in this world.

Thank you so much for believing in my academic future. You have truly blessed my life and I will never forget this blessing that you have given me.

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