The 24th Annual Virtual Education Conference

San Diego Chapter of the National Pacific Islander Education Network hosts the
24rd Annual NPIEN Conference at Morse High School, October 24-25, 2025
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View the conference. 

The 24th ANNUAL VIRTUAL CONFERENCE included the Morse High Schol Islander Association who hosted the event in-person in San Diego, CA, and over 200 on YouTube, Facebook and Linked-in for a total of 300! Speakers included the Educator Session with Danny Blas, Teacher, San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, San Diego Unified School District, and Nani Schott, Teacher at Morse High School, Student Session 1 “Waves of Change” by Anjani Varma, Stanford University and Student Session 2 on Chamorro Dance and Culture by the Morse High School Islander Association.

The Conference Keynote Panel featured Joy-Puuwai Pilo Alberto Dodge, Project Specialist, Human Resources, San Diego County Office of Education and Amos Mikaele, Assistant Principal, The O'Farrell Charter School.

An Awards Ceremony provided recognition for the Student Scholars and adult Educators and Community members. The emcees for the event were NPIEN President Dr. D. Kalani Heinz and President Elect Wayne Manu, assisted by NPIEN Board Members Verna Castro, Dr. Tino Andres, Dr. Charlene Shimada, Nani Schott and Zoom Expert Joy Dodge.

Conference attendees noted that the Morse High Schools were very “articulate and knowledgeable” as they taught the Chamorro Culture and Dance Session. Those attending in-person at Morse High School were impressed by the leadership and management skills of Teacher and Islander Association advisor Nani Schott, and the Ohana-like attitude of all the students. Student Leaders Marla Ignacio and Hailey Mora were commended for their leadership.

The Awards Ceremony saw many notes of appreciation in the chat from families of the awards recipients and how NPIEN “truly cares about the community.” Two of the adults were in tears as they accepted their awards. Sala Auelua Counselor Award Winner Michelle Brewer, Counselor at Dominguez High School in the Compton Unified School District, “thanked NPIEN for this prestigious award and the honor to serve in the community and walk among trail blazers like Sala Auelua.”

For the electronic prize drawing, 25 individuals received prizes from our generous NPIEN sponsors, and their prizes were sent via US mail,

Dance performances were provided by Mira Mesa High School, Morse High School, San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts and Eastlake High School.

The Career, College, Resource Fair including speakers from the following organizations: San Diego County Office of Education, San Diego State University, APIDA Center, Grand Canyon University, BenRaju.com, Asian Pacific Islander Community Actions, MAAC, University of California, Los Angeles, Pacific Islander Community Health, California State University, San Marcos, Stanford University Doerr School of Sustainability, University of California San Diego PISA.

We Thank our Major Sponsors, Prize Sponsors, Awards Sponsor Senator John Curtis and Morse High School, Dr. Cynthia Larkin, Principal and the Morse High School Islander Association for all your Support!

MAJOR SPONSORS: Grand Canyon University, Pacific Islander Health Partnership, Leatapo Fesili, HundredX, Krispy Kreme, Pay Pal, University of California, Los Angeles, University of California, Irvine, Dr. Juliann Anesi, Kathy Oborn. Morse High School Islander Association, Sariah Devereaux, State Farm Insurance, Bruce Lee

COLLEGE, CAREER and RESOURCE FAIR EXHIBITORS: San Diego County Office of Education, San Diego State University, APIDA Center, Grand Canyon University, BenRaju.com, Asian Pacific Islander Community Actions, MAAC, University of California, Los Angeles, Pacific Islander Community Health, California State University, San Marcos, Stanford University Doerr School of Sustainability, University of California San Diego PISA

PRIZE SPONSORS: Emerald Isle Golf Course, Aqua Pros Swim School, Camp Bow Wow, All About Art, The Century Club of San Diego, Farmers Insurance, The Stronghold, Gaslamp Scavenger Hunt, Cameron Fitness, Hsiao Law, Scenthand, Pay Pal, Living Coast Discovery Center, Musical Theatre West, Behavioral Health Services Inc.

AWARDS SPONSORS: Senator John Curtis

The AWARD WINNERS

Christina Diaz Student Scholars

Sevia Ma’ae Educator Awards

Dr. Alofa and Freda Tanuvasa Community Award

Sala Auelua Counselor Award