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Chavez High's Tessa Lea'ea is The Record's 2009 All-Area Volleyball Team Most Valuable Player
Source: The Recordnet.com
Matelina Aulava won 2009 Jurist of the Year and Incentive Award
Matelina Aulava of Lauli'i American Samoa won the 2009 Jurist of the Year and Incentive Award from the State of Hawaii. The 2009 Jurist of the Year and Incentive Award was presented to Ms Aulava by Chief Justice Ronald T.Y. Moon. Matelina is a Fagaitua High School (FHS) alumni and the proud daughter of Animelea of Vaipuna & Ma'afatu Aulava of Lauli'i. The Award ceremony was attended by family, friends and members of the FHS Alumni Association of Hawaii - Mr. Richard Lemaota of Aoa, Punavaioleola Auva'a of Afono and Gino Ojano.
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Matelina Aulava works for the Integrated Community Sanctions Unit, Adult client Services Branch, First Circuit Court of the State of Hawaii. Proclamation states, Matelina Aulava supervises a caseload of offenders with complex crimonogenic needs, serves as a level of Service Inventory-Revised trainer, directs the work of several volunteers, and has served an integral role in Hawaii's Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) project. In all of her many endeavors, Ms. Aulava performed responsibly and has demonstrated a commitment to the mission of the Adult Client Services Branch and Judiciary as a whole. Ms. Aulava exceeds in her ability to apply the principles of risk, needs, and responsivity through assessment and intervention strategies. Above all, however, Matelina is an inspiration to others by her hard work and willingness to help. She has a tremendous team spirit and rallies staff to participate in group activities that include morale-building events. Her positive attitude is also evident in how she relates to her clients, giving them a desire to make changes in their lives. Matelina is well respected by management and her peers. She is innovative and demonstrates a high level of commitment to keeping the work environment positive for herself, her co-workers and clients. For her sustained superior performance and outstanding contribution to the Judiciary and State of Hawaii, Matelina Aulava is awarded the Spirit of the Judiciary Award.
Other FHS Alumni Association members who works for the State of Hawaii Judiciary are Richard Lemaota from Aoa, Tia Aga-Letuli of Fagaitua, Florita Haro from Tula, and Punavaioleola Auva'a from Afono. Ms. Aulava and others are community contributors through their jobs and are active members of the Fagaitua High School Alumni Association in Hawaii. We are proud to say that we hailed from the eastern side of the island of American Samoa standing tall representing our people with pride and joy.
Congratulations Matelina. We are very proud of your successes. May your accomplishments be an empowerment and enlightenment to many of our youngsters aiming for future successes. Alofas from Fagaitua High School Alumni Association.
Source: http://www.recordcourier.com/article/2009911119978
Volleyball: Wolf Pack signs three
RENO, Nev. - University of Nevada head volleyball coach Devin Scruggs has signed three outstanding student athletes to compete for the Wolf Pack in 2010. Local twins Sofia and Grace Anxo along with Tessa Lea'ea have signed national letters of intent to play for the Pack next season. The Anxo twins played their prep volleyball at Reno's Bishop Manogue High School while Lea'ea is completing her senior season at Cesar Chavez High School in Stockton, Calif.
"The recruiting class of 2010 has all the ingredients to be the class that makes a huge impact on the future of Nevada volleyball," said Scruggs. "With a combination of local volleyball talent, as well as incredible athleticism, the future of our program looks bright. In addition to the three we signed today, we will have some extremely talented walk-ons who I am not able to comment on yet at this time."
A four-year letter winner Grace Anxo earned first-team all-league and all-region honors three times and was named Region Player of the Year as a junior and senior. She helped guide BMHS to the 2008 region and state titles. She played club volleyball for Sierra Nevada. The versatile player earned academic all-state honors.
"Grace is one of the most athletic well rounded players I have every recruited, said Scruggs. Her ability to play every position on the court will give us the flexibility for a very creative offense. She will challenge every returner in every position as a freshman. Her court sense, jumping ability and competitive attitude will be a great addition."
Sofia Anxo was also a four-year letter winner at Bishop Manogue High School. Three times she earned all-league and all-region first team honors competing for the Miners. An academic all-state selection she helped guide BMHS to the 2008 region and state championship. Along with her sister she played club volleyball for Sierra Nevada.
"Sofia will give us that greatly needed depth in our outside hitter position," Scruggs said. "A very talented high flyer will have a great chance of seeing court time, even as a freshman. Her ball control and defensive ability will add to our already strong back court."
Lea'ea has amassed 1296 kills, 605 blocks and 389 digs in her career with her senior season yet to be completed at Cesar Chavez High School in Stockton, Calif. She earned first team all-area honors in 2008 and was selected to the San Joaquin Athletic Association all-league team in 2007 and 2008. With her high school team still playing the 2009 honors have not been announced. In 2008 she helped guide the Titans to the 2008 league title. A four-year volleyball letter winner she also lettered three years in basketball and track & field. She has played club volleyball the past two seasons for Stockton Elite.
"10'6". That is how high this 6'4" middle blocker touches," said Scruggs. "We are in great need of size and Tessa will bring the size and physicality that we have been missing. She has the potential to have the greatest impact of any player I have ever brought in. She is still young in the game, but we are extremely hopeful that her learning curve will be fast and she will be able to make an impact immediately."
"The combination of the twins, Sofia and Grace, who both touch 10', and of Tessa at 10'6, this class combines the volleyball knowledge, athleticism, height above the net and work ethic that I am extremely excited about," added Scruggs.
Name Pos. Ht. Yr. Hometown/Previous School
Grace Anxo MB/OH 6'0 Fr. Reno, Nev./Bishop Manogue HS
Sofia Anxo OH 6'0 Fr. Reno, Nev./Bishop Manogue HS
Tessa Lea'ea MB 6'4 Fr. Stockton, Calif./Cesar Chavez HS
Source: http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091112/A_SPORTS/911120331#STS=g1yv6j10.1951
Chavez blocker, Tess Lea'ea, signs with Nevada
By Stephen Roberson
Record Staff Writer
November 12, 2009
Tessa Lea'ea is now part of the pack: the Wolf Pack.
Lea'ea, a 6-foot-4 middle blocker, became the first Chavez High student-athlete to sign a letter-of-intent on national signing day Wednesday when she accepted a full athletic scholarship to Nevada.
Lea'ea, this year's San Joaquin Athletic Association Hitter of the Year and two-time team co-MVP, initially wanted to travel farther but later decided she wanted to stay relatively close to her family.
"It was a pretty easy decision," she said. "I liked the whole program, the vibe of the school. It was a nice campus, and everyone on the team was real welcoming."
Lea'ea will be playing for Nevada coach Devin Scruggs, a 1991 Pacific graduate and a starter on the 1990 team that advanced to the NCAA National Championship finals.
Lea'ea entered Tuesday's first-round playoff loss to Oak Ridge with 1296 kills, 605 blocks and 389 digs.
Other signings Wednesday:
Ripon High's Ashley Robinson signed her letter-of-intent with the Sonoma State Seawolves. Robinson, a 6-foot-1 middle hitter, leads the Indians with a 34.8 ace percentage and is second on the team with 340 kills and 85 blocks.
West High guard Jordan Richardson, who will play his first season with the Wolf Pack after transferring from Texas over the summer, will play basketball for Weber State after signing his letter-of-intent.
More signings
With national letter-of-intent day falling on a holiday, most area athletes delayed their ceremonial signings until today.
Those making official commitments include: St. Mary's girls basketball players Chelsea Gray (Duke), Afure Jemerigbe (Cal) and Alle Moreno (Sacramento State); St. Mary's receiver and defensive back Josh Harper (Cal); St. Mary's gymnast Madeline Kennedy (UC Davis); Tokay swimmer Katelyne Herrington (UNLV); and Linden baseball player Aaron Judge (Fresno State).
Contact reporter Stephen Roberson at (209) 546-8272 or sroberson@recordnet.com.
Source:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090516/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_utah_governor
AP source: Obama to name Utah gov envoy to China
By BETH FOUHY and BROCK VERGAKIS, Associated Press Writer Beth Fouhy And Brock Vergakis, Associated Press Writer
SALT LAKE CITY A Republican governor whose name has come up as a potential challenger to President Barack Obama in 2012 intends go to work for the president as ambassador to China, a source close to the governor said.
Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who is fluent in Mandarin Chinese from his days as a Mormon missionary in Taiwan, has accepted the appointment, said the source, who would speak only on condition of anonymity ahead of a White House announcement expected Saturday.
Huntsman, 49, is a popular, two-term governor who served in both Bush administrations and has made a name for himself advocating a moderate agenda in one of the nation's most conservative states.
He made headlines recently for encouraging the Republican Party to swing in a more moderate direction if it wanted to bounce back from the 2008 elections, angering some conservatives.
Obama's 2008 campaign manager, David Plouffe, said Huntsman is a Republican who "seems to understand the party has to adjust not stubbornly believe that everything is OK and it is the country that has to change."
Huntsman's positions on the environment and other issues have led some to consider him a potential contender for president in 2012.
He signed an initiative that would set a regional cap-and-trade effort to reduce global warming. In a 2006 speech at Shanghai Normal University, Huntsman spoke of the need for China and the U.S. to work together on environmental issues.
"The United States and China must be good examples and stewards of the Earth. We must match economic progress with environmental stewardship. The effects of industrialization are felt worldwide," Huntsman said then.
Throughout his tenure as governor, Huntsman's background as a diplomat has been evident. He preferred to win over opponents in private meetings rather than using his bully pulpit to give rousing speeches.
One of his most significant achievements was loosening the state's restrictive liquor laws over the objections of many in heavily Mormon Utah in an effort to make the state more appealing for visitors. It was a feat many here didn't think would be possible in Huntsman's lifetime.
However, Huntsman has drawn the most attention for stating he favors civil unions for gay couples even though he backed a state constitutional amendment passed in 2004 that prohibited same-sex marriage.
Huntsman's comments on civil unions drew the ire of conservatives in Utah and elsewhere.
Officials in Michigan last month canceled a GOP county fundraiser where Huntsman was to speak; they said he had abandoned important party principles.
Huntsman's career began as a staff assistant in the Ronald Reagan administration and he also served as ambassador to Singapore under President George H.W. Bush and as a deputy U.S. trade representative and U.S. trade ambassador under President George W. Bush.
Utah's only Democratic member of Congress, U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson, said he was pleased with the appointment. "It's a great bipartisan appointment by the president," he said.
Before becoming governor in 2005, Huntsman made millions serving as chairman and CEO of his family chemical company.
If confirmed by the Senate, Huntsman will succeed Clark Randt as U.S. ambassador to China.
Randt, a classmate of former President George W. Bush at Yale University, served as Washington's top envoy to Beijing from July 2001 until January, making him the longest-serving U.S. ambassador to China since the two nations established diplomatic ties.
Utah Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert would become governor until a special election in 2010.