The Avele College Old Pupils Association of 1995-1999 has given back to their old college and are offering an annual scholarship for the college's "most improved Year 12 student".

The association was founded last year and is led by Manu'a Auimatagi Fuimaono (President), Tofaeono Tile Tofaeono (Vice President), Seuamuli Veni Gaugatao (Secretary) and Reverend Petelo Pauga (Treasurer).

It comprises 40 members from Samoa, American Samoa, Australia, New Zealand, America and the United Kingdom.

The association president, Manu'a Auimatagi Fuimaono, told the Samoa Observer on Saturday that the association had raised funds of $500 to cover the tuition fee, exam fees and uniform for the scholarship recipient. 

The first-ever student to be given this scholarship was Vaipuna Sagaga who was awarded the Most Improved Year 12 Student Award during Avele College's prize-giving ceremony last Friday.

"This scholarship award is $500. It was awarded yesterday at the prize giving of Avele [College] for the most improved Year 12 student," said Manu'a.

"This means that it is awarded now but it is for his education, which has already been divided up to cover his tuition and the exam fees."

He added that the scholarship award will continue for the Year 12 students preparing for Year 13 every year.

"It is almost two years since our association of the old students 1995 to 1999 had been established, so if we will continue it to other years and funds from the association will increase, then we will look towards another scholarship to assist the school," Manu'a said.

"Because it's only been a year and a month since our association [was established] so this is the first scholarship award for now."

Manu'a awarded the Most Improved Year 12 Student Award including the scholarship award to Vaipuna last Friday and later met with the student outside of the hall and told him about the importance of the scholarship he had been awarded.

"The only thing he has to focus on next year is his results to be able to get to [University Preparatory Year] and to get good results, not only in the school exams but the [Secondary School Leaving Certificate] exams because this scholarship has already paid for his fees for that exam," Manu'a said.

Manu'a told this newspaper that it has been a while since they have left the school that had been the place that educated them, and now this has given them an opportunity to come together as a class and contribute to Avele College.

He also gave thanks to the members of their association for their contribution towards the scholarship and to the school and expressed his appreciation of Avele College.