Thomsons In Tonga: Liahona High School Graduation 2018

We were privileged to attend Liahona High School graduation and dance this year. We did not go last year as we had only been here a few months and did not know any of the students. This year, we have grown close with the boys from Papua New Guinea and know others from our ward, and our country welfare manager's daughter.

The dance was held the Friday before graduation. Unlike at home, parents are encouraged to come and the students dance with their parents. Teachers and missionary couples also are invited.

The March pictured here is a traditional start of the ball. The excitement builds as the honored couple begins 2x2, couples join and they march around the room. Then they go down the middle, break off, and become 4x4, then 8x8, etc. It is fun to participate in The March. Excitement grows as the line gets longer.

Melenaite Samani, our country welfare manager's (Silongo) daughter was the head girl for the class. Silongo is fun to work with and we were happy we got to take picture of him dancing with his daughter.

We also took pictures of a few of our Papua New Guinea boys. They have become friends. Monte is found visiting with them after church and they come find him to sit with during priesthood. Several times these boys have stopped in at our house. Once they had been out late and missed dinner. They had purchased some "top ramen." They knocked on our door about 9:30 and asked if they could boil some water. We let them in and they had their "dinner."


Alfred Mathew, head boy

Mandella Douglas

Graduation was this week. Our office was closed so we were able to go to the ceremony. It is just like graduation anywhere else. The graduates seat in front, speeches are made, and cheers abound as the students are handed their diplomas.

Like students everywhere, the students wore the school colors of Liahona (green and white) with pride. I liked one of the statements made by the dux..."Success is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure." It is following ideas such as this that the students will succeed as they go out into the world.

We were able to get a pictures of one of the PNG boys. They move through with their diplomas so fast that I was not prepared to take pictures as the other guys came through.

Another tradition in Tonga is piling leis on the graduates. These are made with candy and money. Sometimes the value is several hundred dollars.