The celebration of Samoa College's 70th anniversary will start next month and conclude in December, the Samoa College Old Pupils Association (S.C.O.P.A.) Chairman has announced.

Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, who is also the Faleata No. 3 Member of Parliament, told a press conference on Monday that the board and committed have approved the six-month program to celebrate the college's 70th anniversary.

He said the celebration will start on 1 June 2023 and end with a ball night on 15 December at the end of this year. 

"On Thursday will be our usual formal march that Samoa College does every year. This year should be special so we are expecting many of those who were taught in the college to attend the formal march," Leala said. "Following the march will be a happy hour of free drinks and food for all S.C.O.P.A. in Samoa."

In September this year, the M.P. said there will be a yet-to-be-confirmed event, followed by a ceremony in October with a cake to mark the college's 70th anniversary and end with a "po siva" event held at the Samoa College Hall on 13 October 2023.

"However, the heart of our celebration will be on the second week of December which includes a ceremony, ava ceremony, Fautasi Racing racing and the biggest of all the events, the anniversary ball to conclude the 70th-anniversary celebration of 2023," Leala said. 

S.C.O.P.A. Board Member, Mulitalo Sina Wright Anamani also added that they need new leaders and the door is always open to welcome young leaders. 

"Bring in your thoughts and bring what you have in mind. Give any suggestion for us all to consider what is best for our school," she said. "The motto of the school is 'Atamai e Tautua mo Samoa' or 'wisdom to serve Samoa'. 

"In my words, 'Atamai e Ta'ita'i which overall refers to all our youth and young former students to help lead the S.C.O.P.A. as we grow old."

Current Samoa College Principal, Karene Fa'asisila also expressed her gratitude for the celebration of the college's 70th anniversary and added that they will also begin work to fix up facilities at Samoa's oldest educational institution.

She said the assistance rendered to the college is appreciated and that the college is happy to contribute to the 70th-anniversary celebrations. 

Samoa College was established on 2 October 1953 to help the country prepare for eventual Independence in 1962. Throughout the college's long years, most Samoan writers, authors, politicians, business owners, and overseas scholars were taught at the college. 

The college's board members and principal will reach out to every old former student who was taught there in the 1950s to talk about their experience and their commemoration of the college's anniversary.