Senior English major Dona Maifala brought his leadership experience from his home in American Samoa to become vice president of the Samoan Student Assocation, finding a new appreciation for his culture along the way.
He danced for Samoa in the 2015 Culture Night. Although Maifala said it was not something he would have done when he was home, he was grateful for the opportunity.
“Dancing that night, I felt that I was dancing on behalf of all of my ancestors that were before me. Dancing for so many people and really showcase[ing] that to the world was an amazing feeling.”
As a graduating senior this Winter Semester, Maifala said this is his most memorable experience of his time at BYU. Maifala said this experience was closely tied to the importance he found in embracing his culture.
“Growing up in American Samoa,” he said, “I personally did not feel the need to embrace my culture, because it was all around me. But as you leave the nest … and come to a foreign country that is so new to you, you then feel the need to really hold onto your identity because it is who you are.”
In Maifala’s years at BYU he has led in multiple capacities, currently serving as the vice president of the Samoan Chapter. A fellow Samoan Chapter member and childhood friend, Pearl Tuiasosopo, a junior majoring in political science, said, “Don is sassy, and has such a cute sense of humor. He’s always been a leader back home.”
He was class president in his high school and student body president in his community college in American Samoa. Tuiasosopo described Maifala as constantly leading through action, managing his time wisely and being a friend.
Maifala said, “I make everyone’s business my business.” He said his curiosity about how others are doing helps him to be sensitive to others’ needs.
Fellow classmate and former co-worker at the Joseph F. Smith Library, Rachel LaStoria a senior majoring in English from Missouri knows Maifala well. She said, “It is almost as if he is the English major cheerleader because he encourages everyone. He’s always happy and a pleasure to be around. His positive attitude is contagious and everyone loves him.”
He has a passion for Pacific Literature, which ties together his love of English and connection he feels to his Samoan heritage. Following graduation, he said he hopes to become a successful English educator and return to American Samoa to make a difference in the lives of the students there.
“I want to give back to the school where I got my start,” Maifala said. “As a young boy in the islands, you never think you’ll make it big and go out to the mainland.”
His motivation to accomplish this, he said, stemmed from a phrase that his mother always said to him while he was growing up. “If you want to go to America, you’ve got to use your head.”