As we get closer to the end of the school year, hope builds up as more students will soon become part of the Alumni Association or Ex-Student Association. No longer students, eh?

Do you remember when going to school was a burden? What about those long and endless days at the parade, walking down in Nuku...’alofa during the opening and closure of Parliament? To most of you, those days are worn in your memory bank because of those good fun times you experienced. I do not remember any of those days because I was either skipping school or working my demerits off (ngaue mo...’ua). Fast forward to year 2005 and you...’ll find a totally different person. In my case, I wish I was back in high school. No silly, I do not want to march down the street. I want to break in to the Administration...’s office and fix my attendance record so it reflects I attended school. Doctoring the grade will be too obvious. Good grades do not change idiots.

How things have changed. These days, banners and signs of loyalty are visible everywhere. Old friends meet and reminisce about those days, while moneys are dropped at the feet of beautiful girls and sometimes worn out graying and toothless former students. These generous donations are eventually collected and hopefully end up at the beneficiary...’s (my favorite school) door.

The geeks and the ambitious drop-outs are now either organizers or leaders. How ironic! We couldn...’t stand them during our school days and we are still mistrust them today. Sounds familiar? Organizing such groups or organizations is an easy task. All one has to do is reach out and touch your emotional tie to the old school. After several of the former students are contacted, the organization is formed and called "Alumni Association" or "Kolisi Tutuku".

I am sure there are lots of good things done by these organizations for their schools. But despite all these, I want to point to areas needing improvement, integrity and six finger habits. I can only share my opinions on two schools since they were in the news lately. First is the Liahona High School Alumni Association. This is one of the strongest member financed organization in the kingdom. When it comes to generous donors, chaching!!! This is the Place!

Their annual re-union and fund drives bring in the dough every year. The general membership have no clue how much the Association has in the bank. Only the officers do, but remarkably, they are not accountable to the general membership. Their books are not open to the either the public or the school (Liahona) who is the beneficiary. Liahona has no voice in how the money is spent. When asked about how much is it in the bank, the answer was, "In the name of Jesus, we promise the money is safe. Please trust us."

The second alumni association is the "Tonga High School" Alumni Association. This group probably has a better name and operation, since they are the so-called crème de la crème of the kingdom...’s brightest minds. It is strange though, they seem to be easily duped by rip-off merchants. Despite the successful fund raising that was done earlier this year, it was still marred by poor bookkeeping procedures, phantom expenses and missing receipts from non-cooperating tent makers.

To the THS Alumni, here is your tent! Choose one. They cost the same, I think. It should cover the cost and more. I just have to find the receipt. In the name of Jesus, please, you must trust me on this!

tevita [dot] u [dot] langi [at] us [dot] army [dot] mil [2]