VOPIN remains dedicated to its mission of serving our youth and their families. We firmly believe that education is the great equalizer in a just society. Our Navigating Education program, which is part of the Youth and Young Adults Services department, continues to offer culturally relevant services and resources to help our children/students and families thrive in this American journey. 

As we embark on another exciting year, we hope this newsletter finds you in good health and high spirits, ready to embrace the growth and sense of community that defines us at Voices of Pacific Island Nations (VOPIN). This month, we are particularly eager to share an important update and invite you to engage more with our mission.

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of Pacific Islander communities? Join VOPIN as our new Program Coordinator in Kitsap County! This role is vital to our Family Services Program, designed to support Pasefika families through culturally responsive care coordination. Collaborate with our partners and lead initiatives that provide crucial resources, improve health outcomes, and promote equity in our community.

VOPIN October 2024 Newsletter

We are so excited to share reflections from two outstanding students, Destiny Ah Tau and Destiny 'Elesi' Pese, who took part in our Navigating Education Summer Program. Both Destiny and Elesi are talented and ambitious individuals with bright futures ahead. Their stories highlight personal growth, cultural connections, and the valuable lessons they’ve gained during their time with us.

We are so excited to share some highlights from our summer program! Our students have been taking the lead each morning, driving meaningful discussions and learning together. Today, we focused on the word "success" and explored what it truly means to each of us.

Meet Taluasa "Lua" Enoka, a 17-year-old senior at Bremerton High School. As a proud Samoan and dedicated student, Lua enjoys watching K-Dramas, values her Christian faith, and cherishes her family. She first heard about Voices of Pacific Island Nations (VOPIN) through friends and quickly realized the significant impact their programs have on Pacific Islander students and beyond. “VOPIN is a very important organization and it's . . . for not only just Pacific Islanders but also for other students,” Lua shares.

Bremerton High School student Mia Sianquita is a vibrant 16-year-old junior with a zest for life that is as infectious as it is inspiring. As someone who loves "hanging out with [her] friends, traveling, and playing volleyball,” Mia embodies the spirit of youthful exploration and friendship. Her involvement with the Voices of Pacific Island Nations (VOPIN) program at Bremerton High School showcases her commitment to community and her personal growth within a supportive educational environment.

Meet Rebecca Smith, a vibrant 15-year-old ninth grader at Bremerton High School, whose enthusiasm and diverse interests shine through in a recent interview with Voices of Pacific Island Nations (VOPIN).

Jody Sonmak, a 15-year-old freshman at Bremerton High School, may have just moved to Washington from Guam and Hawaii, but she's already making a big impact. Jody credits Voices of Pacific Island Nations (VOPIN)'s Navigating Education Program with helping her adjust to her new environment, improve her academics, and connect with her Pacific Islander identity.

Ali'ikai's story is one of resilience and triumph, starting from his upbringing in the Eastside of Tacoma and West Seattle to getting kicked out from school. But within the Pacific Islander community, he found strength and unity, treating each other like family. Despite hurdles, he graduated high school, while being a young dad, and worked tirelessly to support his family. At 21, he made the life-changing decision to join the military, finding stability and a supportive cushion for his journey into adulthood.

Eliza Evans, our dedicated VOPIN volunteer, and John Perkins, our newest staff member, joined our Navigating Education afterschool program to meet our students and lead experiential activities focused on positive youth development and cultivating strong relationships.

We are grateful to share a moment of inspiration from our recent Together for Education fundraiser, featuring a compelling speech by VOPIN Intern, Keion Clark. Keion emphasizes the vital role of unity and support for education in Pacific Island communities. His speech is a poignant reminder that our collective efforts can make a lasting impact on the lives of those in need.
Expertly edited by the talented Soyoun Ann Kim.

Research has shown that when students feel safe and have a sense of belonging, they tend to do well academically. Aniya Clark, an outstanding 11th-grade student at Bremerton High School, is currently enrolled in the 'Running Start' program and is a member of VOPIN's 'Navigating Education' initiative. Aniya offers peer-to-peer math tutoring to her fellow students, inspiring them to pursue their aspirations. In a recent interview, she shared her perspective on different aspects of her life and her involvement with VOPIN.

Mahani Teave's artistry is a bridge between music and the environment. She uses her music as a vessel to raise awareness about climate change, drawing parallels between the beauty of the Earth and the harmony of her melodies. "We're not just intellect, we are not just emotions, we are not just a soul," she says, "We're also a body, and we're connected to what's around us, and we are responsible for everything we do."

Meet Charles Griffin, a bright 14-year-old freshman at Bremerton High School, who is already making waves with his unique blend of hobbies and ambitions.

The 'Mau' was a non-violent movement for Samoa's independence from colonial rule during the first half of the 20th century. 'Mau' means 'resolute' or 'resolved' in the sense of 'opinion,' 'unwavering,' also denoting 'firm strength' in Samoan. The motto for the Mau were the words 'Samoa mo Samoa (Samoa for the Samoans).' The movement began on the island of Savai'i with the 'Mau a Pule' resistance in the early 1900s with widespread support throughout the country by the late 1920s... The 'Mau' included women who supported the national organization through leadership and organization as well as taking part in marches.

Watch Untold Pacific History on our Arts and Culture page

The first Pacific Islander to reach the Challenger Deep! Nicole Yamase is an inspirational role model for young Pacific Islanders interested in pursuing STEM. Nicole was born in Pohnpei but dwelled in other parts of the Federated States of Micronesia. As a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Hawaii studying Marine Biology: I just want young Pacific Islanders to see that there is no limit to what we can accomplish. I want them to see themselves in me. We can do anything! I hope this experience inspires other young Pacific Islanders to pursue STEM fields and higher education, so that they can serve as a role model for the next generation.

"Yamase's inspiring voyage to the Challenger Deep is a once-in-a-lifetime journey to a place that less than 20 people visited before in human history," said Malte Stuecker--assistant professor at University of Hawaii Manoa Dept of Oceanography. "And now I could see, quite literally how these reefs in the Federated States of Micronesia are connected with the deepest place on Earth," added Yamase.

Mau Piailug (1932 - 2010) was a Micronesian navigator from the Carolinian island of Satawal, best known as a teacher of traditional, non-instrument wayfinding methods for open-ocean voyaging. Mau's navigation methods relied on elements of nature, such as the sun, stars, winds and clouds, seas and swells, and birds and fish.

Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Niue, Rotuma, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Futuna and Uvea formed a large exchange community in which wealth and people with their skills and arts circulated endlessly... Oceania is vast, Oceania is expanding, Oceania is hospitable and generous, Oceania is humanity rising from the depths of brine and regions of fire deeper still, Oceania is Us.

John Alexander Kneubuhl, an accomplished playwright, is the son of a Samoan mother and an American father. On July 2, 1920, John was born in Fagatogo, American Samoa. His father, Benjamin F. Kneubuhl, was a navy surveyor from Iowa who settled in Samoa and later became a successful businessman. John’s mother was Atalina Pritchard from Apia, Samoa.