Graduates from Saineha High School and Liahona High School in Tonga gathered in separate ceremonies recently to celebrate the completion of their high school journeys.
Liahona High School Graduation Elder Meurs
Elder Peter F. Meurs at Liahona High School graduation© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.For over 75 years, the schools, which are operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have offered quality educations to thousands of young Tongans.
Saineha High School graduated 36 seniors and Liahona High School had 253 graduates.
Many of the graduates were recognized for their achievements with honours and high honours in all academic pursuits along with Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET).
The Church schools in Tonga continue to encourage and support missionary service following high school graduation.
In the current graduating class, 40 students have received calls to serve church missions and approximately another 70 students have mission applications submitted and are awaiting mission calls.
Once the students have graduated from high school, have turned 18 years old, and hold a current temple recommend, they are eligible to enter Church temples and receive special ordinances called endowments.
Many of the graduating students are looking forward to the spiritual strength they will receive when they participate in temple ordinances.
The mission of the Church’s high schools is to develop disciples of Jesus Christ who are leaders in their homes, the Church, and their communities.
Elder Peter F Meurs, president of the Church in the Pacific Area, delivered the keynote address at Liahona High School recently.
He said, “At this school you have enjoyed a combination of academic teaching and faith promoting spiritual teaching and experiences. We hope that these experiences have strengthened your faith in Jesus Christ and empowered you to make righteous choices.”
Liahona High School Graduation
Liahona High School Graduation© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Jonathan Warwick, Pacific Area Director of Church Schools, was a distinguished guest of Saineha High School.
The Church’s worldwide President and Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, has said, “In the Church, obtaining an education and getting knowledge are a religious responsibility. We educate our minds so that one day we can render service of worth to somebody else.”
The Tonga graduates marked this significant milestone with a renewed commitment to the gospel and continued education.
John D. Wilson, Global Director of Succeed in School and Church Schools, said to graduates at the Saineha High School ceremony, “There are many options available for continued education.”
“These,” he said, “include BYU-Pathway Worldwide, [which] provides access to marketable certificates and degrees through BYU-Idaho and Ensign College.”
These courses are available online in over 180 countries.