Members of the Skyridge High School Polynesian Club had only three months to prepare for the annual Polynesian dance, music and visual arts competition, “Who Got Roots?” but they channeled their ancestors and learned more about their culture alongside other Polynesian high school students in Utah.
“I wanted to unify our Polynesian group and help us be active at school and in the community, serving and representing ourselves well,” explained Malia Niumatalolo, president of the Polynesian Club at Skyridge High School.
Malia learned about “Who Got Roots?” in February 2021 when the other high school clubs had already been preparing for six months. “I felt more connected to my culture competing at ‘Who Got Roots?’ Our ancestors made so many sacrifices and told their stories through dances,” she said. Once a school commits to the competition, they draw a “wild card” Polynesian/Pacific Island to represent in the dance category, plus two other islands of their cho