Not too long ago, Samoa Observer introduced a young man who looked to be a promising future National Football League (NFL) football player.
Follow up articles featured his continued success as a young athlete, and as a student.
Today, Shawn Lauvao has returned to Samoa with a degree in Interdisciplinary studies from Arizona State University (ASU), USA.
This 21-year-old is proof that having a dream and sticking to it, even in the face of challenges, success can be achieved.
Lauvao is an offensive lineman for ASU. He stood on 18 December 2008, as the only football player among thousands of graduates, to complete his degree in three and a half years.
Lauvao’s mother, Faumuina Lee Lauvao said; “I am extremely proud of my son.“
“It was very hard work and he has done very well; he is an example for other youngsters”
who wish to travel the same path.
Lauvao attributes his success “to a lot of sacrifice,”
not just “doing some things.”
He once wanted to become a pharmacist, but “that would be something for those who have time,”
he said.
Lauvao’s studies instead, focussed on education and sociology, which he has come to “love.”
Grid Iron is his passion though.
“There are only a few things that I am good at and football is one of them,”
the Honolulu-born Lauvao said.
At 6’3” and 305 lbs “I have a good chance of making it into the NFL, and I thought graduating early would help.”
Not to be mistaken, Lauvao is serious about his studies.
“The University is paying for my graduate school so I will be taking up my Masters in Curriculum and Instructions,”
he said.
He said his dream job, after football, would be to educate and coach footballers and others. This is something his mother said “Shawn would fall back on.”
Lauvao was honored at a graduation luncheon, hours before the ceremony.
He was also honored on the All Pac 10 Conference Honorable Mention Squad in 2008 for his performance.
