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Hobbies and interests
Advocacy And Activism
Baking
Botany
Business And Entrepreneurship
Choir
Community Service And Volunteering
Farming
Football
Horticulture
Yearbook
Forensics
Reading
Academic
Adult Fiction
Adventure
Action
Biography
Cultural
Environment
Folk Tales
Folklore
Gardening
History
Humanities
Literature
Mystery
Philosophy
Politics
Fantasy
Social Issues
True Story
I read books multiple times per week
Letiunasema Nuusila
1,675
Bold Points1x
Finalist1x
Winner
Letiunasema Nuusila
1,675
Bold Points1x
Finalist1x
WinnerBio
I am passionate, hardworking, skillful, persistent, and honest. I can adapt to a new environment or setting. In addition, I possess leadership, organizational, cooperation, communication, and several other skills that aid me in pursuing knowledge for the future.
Education
Cornell University
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Agricultural and Food Products Processing
- Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other
Samoana High School
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Agricultural and Food Products Processing
- International Agriculture
- Sustainability Studies
- Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other
- Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
Career
Dream career field:
Research
Dream career goals:
Earn degree and become a plant scientist, then return home to American Samoa to serve my community and nurture future generations of agricultural professionals and scientists.
Environmental Committee Member
Cornell University Student Assembly2024 – Present1 yearUndergraduate Research Assistant
Cornell University CALS DiTommaso Lab of Weed Ecology2023 – 20241 yearUndergraduate Research Assistant
Cornell University CALS Kao-Kniffin Lab of Belowground Ecology of Invasive Plants & Weeds2024 – Present1 yearStudent Researcher
American Samoa Community College - Agriculture, Natural Resources, & Community Division2018 – 20224 yearsExecutive Youth Representative
Sa'ole Drug Free Coalition2019 – 20212 yearsStudent Intern
American Samoa Department of Education Business Office2023 – 2023
Sports
Football
Varsity2021 – 20221 year
Awards
- Participant
Research
Soil Sciences
Cornell University SIPS Kao-Kniffin Lab — Research Assistant2024 – PresentSustainability Studies
American Samoa Community College — Student Researcher2018 – 2019Botany/Plant Biology
American Samoa Community College Agriculture, Community, and Natural Resources Division — Student Researcher2017 – 2018Agricultural and Food Products Processing
American Samoa Community College — Student Researcher2020 – 2021
Arts
Poe Mageo's Silipa's Playhouse
ActingTwinderella the Musical2017 – 2018Cornell University
MusicCornell Chorale 2024 Spring Concert: Aspects of Love, Cornell Chorale 2024 Fall Concert: Moonlit Reverie2024 – PresentPoe Mageo's School of Music
Music2016 Fall Orchestra Concert, 2017 Spring Orchestra Concert2016 – 2018
Public services
Volunteering
Back Bay Mission — Volunteer2024 – 2024Volunteering
Loaves & Fishes of Tompkins County — Volunteer2024 – PresentAdvocacy
Cornell American Red Cross — Volunteer2023 – 2023Volunteering
Sa'ole Drug Free Coalition — Youth Member2017 – 2021Volunteering
Feed My Starving Children — Volunteer2023 – 2023Volunteering
Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa Youth Association — Member & Co-Leader2016 – PresentVolunteering
Finafinau Community Service Project — Member2020 – 2022
Future Interests
Advocacy
Politics
Volunteering
Philanthropy
Entrepreneurship
Freddie L Brown Sr. Scholarship
West Family Scholarship
Imagine a world where no child goes to bed hungry, where families don’t have to choose between paying rent and putting food on the table—this is not a distant dream, but a goal within our reach if we take bold steps to stamp out food insecurity once and for all. Yet, the reality is stark: food insecurity remains one of the most pressing issues of our time. Millions of people lack access to nutritious food, children suffer from malnutrition that stunts their growth and potential, and families are forced to make impossible choices as the cost of living continues to rise. With these facts in mind, I decided to join the call to stomp out hunger and helping to establish food security. My path to this is through my current field of Agricultural Science. I decided to take on this issue from its origin, at the root, and work from there into production and eventually distribution. The challenge is not simply one of production but of distribution, sustainability, and equity. As a student specializing in agricultural sciences with a focus on plant research and sustainable agriculture, I am committed to addressing this issue by developing farming methods that balance productivity, environmental responsibility, and economic viability.
One of the key aspects of food insecurity is the unequal distribution of food across different regions. While some areas experience food surpluses, others struggle with chronic shortages. My goal is to contribute to the creation of more efficient and equitable food systems that ensure better access to food for vulnerable populations. This involves working on innovative agricultural solutions that improve yields without depleting natural resources or harming the environment. Sustainability is at the core of my approach. Many farmers, especially smallholders, face the difficult trade-off between maximizing their income and adopting environmentally friendly practices. Through research in sustainable agriculture, I aim to bridge this gap by promoting methods that increase productivity while maintaining soil health, conserving water, and reducing reliance on harmful chemicals. For example, agroecological practices, precision farming, and crop diversification all play a role in creating resilient farming systems that benefit both people and the planet.
Beyond research, I am also passionate about empowering farmers with knowledge and resources. Many small-scale farmers lack access to the latest advancements in agricultural technology and sustainable practices. By immersing myself in extension services, policy advocacy, or agricultural development programs, I hope to provide farmers with practical tools and education that will help them adopt more sustainable and profitable methods. Supporting farmers in this way not only improves food production but also strengthens local economies and enhances food security at a community level.
The fight against hunger requires a multi-faceted and holistic approach, and I am dedicated to being part of that solution. Whether through research, advocacy, or direct engagement with farmers, I am eager to contribute to a future where food is more equitably distributed, farming is both productive and sustainable, and no one has to suffer from hunger.