OCR Text |
Show September 26, 2000 The Forum - 4 nfia Consider!! Taafya mfoer tudent 0rnmnift trustees and the chairperson of the Student Activities Commission. She also teaches an By Engels Tejeda Forum Staff Writer She is one introductory course to college, works for the Westminster students, and by far the most popular in the opinion of many, who has not only captured the friendship but also the respect of those around her, said Sabrina Martinez. of Her name is Tofi Taafua, the Associated Students of Westminster College. With only a few months in office, this representative" of the student body has proven to carry out one of a politicians most challenging tasks: To fulfill her promises. I understand that by electing me as our my peers have given me the opportunity to be a leader; and in my opinion the most important aspect of a leader is that she lives by her words." I think they are absolutely magnificent," said college president Dr. Peggy Stock describing the current ASWC government. Rich and Tofi form one of the most organized groups I have worked with since Ive been here. While attempting to accomplish her goal, Taafua has become a veteran of campus life. Tofi eats, sleeps, breaths, lives Westminster, said Brittan Bates, Director of Student Life. don't think there is a student who is more diverse about the campus than Tofi. In fact, I challenge most staff members to know as much as she does about what goes on here. In becoming so involved, she devotes countless hours to student life and its demanding components. If you speak to Campus Patrol, they will tell you that they have had to open the door for her countless times in the middle of the night, so that she can get a project done," added Bates. What sets her apart is that she understands she is not a only during the week, but at all times. To Tofi, there is no difference between the week and the weekend." According to Bates, on a regular basis, Taafua arrives at the ASWC office at about 8:30 a.m. and leaves whenever all business is finished. Sometimes, that may be as late as 12:00 p.m. and sometimes, she simply takes a nap in the couch at the office. In spite of the time she dedicates to her governmental position, this natural politician still manages to have a social life and keep a high grade point average. She is great with people," said Carolyn Perkins, Dean of Students. Everyone on campus knows her and I think she is very outgoing, which definitely helps. Although she would not reveal her exact GPA, Taafua says it runs between 3.5 and 4.0. In addition to her ASWC duties, Taafua also holds key positions in other organizations. She is the president of the Multicultural Club, cofounder of the colleges charter of SIFE, student representative to the colleges board of vice-preside- nt vice-preside- I vice-preside- nt and is the commentator for the volleyball and basketball teams. In addition, she is participating in a special project for the accounts payable department, and she is the acting president of the College Democrats. How can Student of the most influential nt, Life Office, she do all those things? is the question asked by many of her peers. According to ASWC President Rich Nelson, Taafua has a natural source of energy that makes her one of the most dynamic people he knows. Taafua, however attributes her energy to those around her. get all my energy from people interact with, said Taafua in between activities Tuesday night. You get what you give. So if I give them all my energy, they will give me all of theirs. It is sort of a cycle," she added jokingly. That energy cycle appears to never end. She is constantly on the go and rarely spends a moment that is not somehow related to I I attend Westminster. My dad and I thought that Westminster was a small school, which was something I looked at in colleges. We also liked it because of its quality and location we figure it would be safe here... I never thought that choosing a school by such criteria would result in provably the greatest experience of my life," said Taafua. Although she has certainly done more than term is only at its expected, her early stages. She has planned a series of ASWC activities designed to unite the student body. There is a lot more coming," said Taafua. Rich, our staff and I have a lot more planned. The main events to look for are the Halloween party, the Madrigal celebration, our very-fir- st spring fest, and a lot more. In fact, some friends of Taafua have said hanging out with her, you should pick up a few - vice-president- ial things." The greatest lesson to learn from Tofi is that you should incorporate fun into everything you do, said Martinez, a close friend of Taafua. You should learn from her that there is always something to do, and that dedication can get you very far, added Perkins. If you are planning to run for the in years to come, you should also learn how well she delegates. It is very important for to do as well as she does the when it comes to delegating, said Bates. As far as her long-tergoals, Taafua plans to receive her bachelors degree in economics this year. Someday, she said, I want to represent American Samoa in congress. If you wish to see her flex her political abilities, she will be debating on Gore vs. Bush October 25. vice-presiden- cy vice-preside- nt m Westminster. My philosophy is you sleep when you die, said Taafua. There is always something to do. There are 24 hours on the day and theres no reason why you should not use them all. It is her desire to bring a smile to everyones face, what some consider Taafuas greatest weakness. She is a busy person, which has a lot to do with the fact that she is a beautiful procrastinator, said Perkins while describing Taafua. She wants to do it all; she wants to please everybody. guess thats my flaw, said Taafua. tell always people the key to failure is to try and I I please everyone, yet thats exactly what do. guess am a little hypocritical that way," she I I I laughs. Being on top of things is nothing new to the economics major. Born in American Samoa to Adelle and Reverend LaUfuti, she is the oldest of three children. She was the of her high school and her class valedictorian. Upon graduating high school, she decided to vice-preside- nt MODELS TO WANTED: POSE FOR ART CLASSES U OF U CAMPUS VICINITY Flexible hours Undraped from $12-17ho- ur & Draped $10hour Must be reliable. Call Sid PfT Child care provider in my home, close to Westminster. AM, early PM hours. Flexible hoursdays. $7hour. Call Robin at 484-297- 2 |