My grandparents raised my older brother and me; my grandmother was an academic and my grandfather was a church minister. Growing up, I had always seen my grandparents devote much of their time to service for others. My grandmother has been an educator in secondary schools and higher education for over thirty years, while my grandfather was a minister and church administrator until his retirement. They were both heavily involved in our community and village, whether through church initiatives such as outreach and rallies; to district projects such as village clean-ups and town hall meetings. My grandmother had always taught my brother and me that if you had enough and could share that blessing with another individual(s), be sure to pass it on. “O le ala i le pule o le tautua”. This Samoan proverb says, “The path to leadership is through service”. Tautua (service) is an integral part of my culture; whether it is service to community, family, or self, they are all important. I have continued to carry that teaching with me to college and will further it into the future. I recently went on a mission trip with my church, Protestant Cooperative Mission, where we served at the Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, MS for a week. The Back Bay Mission is a non-profit grassroots organization that works to alleviate poverty and strengthen neighborhoods in the Gulfport area of Biloxi, through its various programs such as housing rehabilitation programs, their Micah Day Center where homeless individuals can access personal hygiene products and clothing, and a food pantry. The trip began with meeting a dedicated group of seniors from Chicago who, despite their church closure, continued their annual service through Back Bay Mission. We helped Mrs. Corlis, a 70-year-old resident, with flood mitigation efforts at her home. While working, I interacted with the Chicago volunteers from diverse backgrounds, united by their desire to serve. At the Micah Day Center, I met Mr. Rufus, a guest who, despite facing challenges, maintained a positive spirit. Our final days involved transporting supplies and finishing work on Mrs. Corlis's house. This trip fostered empathy and a commitment to social justice. Witnessing poverty firsthand transformed statistics into human experiences, inspiring me to advocate for change and dedicate myself to service, just like those I met. The lessons learned in Biloxi will forever guide my journey toward a more just future. With this goal in mind, I immediately signed up to volunteer at the Loaves and Fishes of Tompkins County when I returned to Ithaca. I volunteer there twice a week now on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I always look forward to volunteering at Loaves & Fishes because I can positively impact someone else’s day. Seeing those smiles from the guests, listening to their stories, conversating with volunteers, and making new friends; all these experiences further enrich and motivate me to always serve with a humble heart and give back to my community. I am currently pursuing a BS in Agricultural Sciences, and I chose to pursue this field because I am very passionate about learning and establishing sustainable food systems that can benefit communities. The rising costs of living and drastic effects of climate change continue to plague today’s world. It is my desire to equip and immerse myself with knowledge, connections, and experiences so that I can apply these experiences toward my community and make a significant impact that is beneficial for the environment and people. That would be my tautua to the world.

My name is Letiunasema Nuusila, and I am a first-year undergraduate student studying agricultural sciences here in the US. I was born and raised in American Samoa, a US territory in the Pacific Ocean. I am the second eldest of four siblings, but my brother and I were raised by paternal grandparents. My grandparents raised me in every aspect of my beloved Fa’asamoa or Samoan culture. My culture emphasizes the importance of faith, respect, family, and service. My grandparents instilled in me these principles to prepare me to face the world and all its entities. I decided to pursue my undergraduate degree in agriculture because I am passionate about it. I grew up in American Samoa, which is a very small cluster of islands with a population of less than fifty-five thousand. I learned while growing up that there was always a shortage of qualified professionals in specialized fields. There was always a shortage of teachers, biologists, scientists, medical and healthcare professionals, social workers, etc. I saw this and promised myself that I would try my best to get the best education and learn as much as possible, then return home and help my people. That is my dream. My dream is to pursue an education and gain knowledge, and then I will return home to share this knowledge. This is only my second time in the United States, and I am now staying to pursue my future here. I’ve come to the realization that there are countless and infinite opportunities available, but someone just needs to light the way. Someone needs to guide the people onto the right path to accessing the various opportunities and blessings that await. I pray and believe that my generation is the torch bearer that will guide our people and be the beacon of hope to our younger and older generations. I am passionate about pursuing agriculture because it is integral to my culture and the world. Less than two percent of the entire US population is involved in agriculture production, and climate change has become one of the greatest challenges to agricultural production. Also, agriculture production is one of the largest contributors to climate change. Pacific Islands nations are the most affected by climate change; our islands are engulfed by rising temperatures, hurricane seasons have become more devastating, food security has become scarce, and several other factors have put Pacific nationals at risk. That is why I wanted to study agriculture; to study and understand what goes on in the agriculture industry and field. My goal is to contribute my knowledge to ensure that the world is fed sustainably while we protect and preserve the environment and its entities for future generations. Together, we can make the world a better place.

My name is Letiunasema Nuusila, and I am a first-year undergraduate studying agricultural sciences in the US. I was born and raised in American Samoa, a US territory in the South Pacific Ocean. My grandparents raised me my entire life in our Fa'asamoa or Samoan culture: faith, respect, services, and family. Growing up, my grandmother was my biggest supporter who pushed me to be the best I could be, and I always tried to. I started my journey towards higher education in seventh grade. My brother had graduated middle school, and my grandparents decided to move me to another school that was more academically rigorous than the school I was attending. I started school at my new school in the fall of 2017 as a seventh grader. Everything was fast-paced; the learning techniques, workload, teachers' teaching styles varied, and I also wanted to make new friends at my new school. All this came at me simultaneously, but I didn't give up; I just kept punching forward and working towards the finish line. A science project was one of the most difficult challenges I had to overcome. My science teacher announced that everyone had to do a science project, and the project would be our exam grade for the quarter. I panicked. I had never done a science project before, and science wasn't my forte; I was more of an arts kid. However, I still had to do a science project to pass that class. That day, I went home and told my grandmother I needed to do a science project. The next day, my grandmother picked me up, and we went to the Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Community Division of the local community college, where she was a lecturer. At the ACNR Division, I was introduced to Dr. Ian Gurr, lead researcher in the ACNR horticulture department. This was where my journey in agriculture started. I did a research project with Dr. Gurr and his team where we studied how mulch affected the growth rates of Taro (Colocasia esculenta). My research project lasted fifteen weeks in total. Every Tuesday and Thursday after school, I walked to the college campus, which was fifteen minutes away from my school, and I would monitor my taro patch, collect data, and take pictures. At times, it wasn't easy writing research papers and learning words that I couldn't comprehend. Pests, climate conditions, and many other factors would damage some of my taros. However, my mentor, Dr. Gurr, and his research team were always there to help me understand things I didn't know. The process was long and tiresome, but I was determined to complete my project. After completing my research project, I turned in my research paper and presented my poster at our class fair. My project was selected to represent our class at the school science fair, and I received full marks. I placed second overall at the school fair and represented my school in the Botany category at the State Science Fair. I won 1st place in my category at the State Science Fair, and my heart was filled with joy. From this experience, I found my passion for agriculture and plant sciences. I continued doing research projects with Dr. Gurr and the ACNR in middle and high school. I learned to trust myself and not fear asking questions and requesting help. Equipped with the knowledge of higher education and the principles of Fa'asamoa, I continue to work towards earning my degree and return home to prepare the next generation of agriculturists and scientists of the future.

As I stepped onto the cold grounds of Cornell University, I carried with me my aiga, my Fa'asamoa, my faith, and traditions, which my life was built upon and revolved around. I was born and raised in American Samoa, and my family resided on the eastern side of the island of Tutuila, in the village of Alofau. My brother and I were raised by my grandparents, who were ministers of the Congregational Christian Church in Samoa and American Samoa when they moved from Samoa to American Samoa. My grandparents instilled in me the principles and values of Fa'asamoa, and I have since implemented them into my life and have carried them with pride in all I do. My Fa'asamoa is a part of my identity, which I proudly cherish. Now, attending an institution far from home with a very small population of Samoans and Pacific Islanders, my identity is more important than ever. Being a Pacific Islander in college is not just a matter of attending classes; it's an intricate dance between preserving my roots and embracing higher education's growth opportunities. A deep connection to my cultural heritage is at the core of my passion and pursuit of knowledge. In college, my identity becomes a beacon, guiding and motivating me through the several paths I will take towards the future. I bring to the classroom a different perspective shaped by the values and traditions of my Pacific Island heritage. I offer unique viewpoints that contribute to diverse ideas, enriching the educational experience for myself and my peers. Yet, attending college as a Pacific Islander and a person new to this environment can be challenging; it's like sailing through uncharted waters. The academic landscape is very different from back home. The cultural shock, not being able to speak my native language, familiarizing myself with varying styles of teaching, and the feeling of excelling academically at times overwhelm me. However, I have to remind myself occasionally that I am a descendant of courageous and resilient people. I am the product of my Fa'asamoa, a son of God, I have worked tirelessly to get where I am from, and my journey is just beginning. Just like how resilient my people are, I am adaptable and can overcome whatever obstacles I may face. I have started to write my journals in Samoan, reconnected with my love for Pacific literature, and do things that can connect me with my culture so that I don't lose touch with my identity. I have been blessed to attend an institution such as Cornell because I have forged new friendships with students, faculty, and staff. I have found a community that is eager to learn and is appreciative of my culture and heritage, and it makes my heart rejoice as I can share my culture with others. College as a Pacific Islander can be challenging, but we must remember that we are a resilient and multiskilled people. We must not forget to connect with our identity, which guides us through our troubles and reconnects us to our families and heritage. I believe that I am deserving of this scholarship because of my steadfast dedication to academic success, strong community activity, and demonstrated fortitude in the face of adversity. With this financial assistance, I'm committed to achieving my goals, contributing to my community, and using my degree to make a significant impact.