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Stella Fungavaka

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Finalist

Bio

Malo e lelei! My name is Stella. I am from the beautiful Kingdom of Tonga. I am currently a student at Brigham Young University- Hawaii majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology. I am not a person with many words, but I can say that I am most passionate about helping people and being a friend. I know I would be a great candidate because I am a first-generation student. Both of my parents never made it to college so I am looking to create a path that my younger siblings would follow.

Education

Brigham Young University-Hawaii

Bachelor's degree program
2022 - 2025
  • Majors:
    • Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
  • Minors:
    • Hospitality Administration/Management

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

  • Planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Hospital & Health Care

    • Dream career goals:

      Doctor

    • Tour guide

      Polynesian Culture Center
      2022 – Present2 years

    Sports

    Volleyball

    Intramural
    2016 – 20182 years

    Awards

    • no

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. — missionary
      2019 – 2021

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Politics

    Volunteering

    Entrepreneurship

    Carlos F. Garcia Muentes Scholarship
    Have you ever met someone so broken that all she can dream about is an escape from the life she grew up on? Well, that person would be me. Hello, I am Stella Fungavaka from the Kingdom of Tonga. I am one of 7 kids. I am the second eldest and the eldest daughter. My father barely made it through high school and my mother is a smart woman but strictly irresponsible. As the eldest daughter, I was always tasked with taking care of my younger siblings. This grew my love for children and healthcare. My family are poor. We do not have much. I have always dreamed of gaining a higher education in order for me to change my family's circumstances. In 2017 I graduated with honor from Liahona High School. Being the first out of all my siblings to graduate from High School. In 2018, my parents went through a divorce that ruined my focus on my future career and what I wanted to do with my life. Therefore, I took a time off school and went on a church mission to Colorado. In 2021, I applied to the Brigham Young University-Hawaii which I am now attending a freshmen also being the first ever out of my family to attend university. Through my academic years, as the eldest daughter I want to able to pave the way for my younger siblings to follow. I want to be someone they van look up to and admire. Currently, I am majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology. Heart disease runs in my family, and I figured that with this major, it could be a start of something new to my family. My grandmother passed away from a heart disease that the doctors in Tonga couldn't help with in 2020 which boost the courage to pursue my future career as a cardiologist. I want to be able to help save those who may go through the same heart disease that my grandmother died from. As hard as it can be with being away from home, I tend to remember my poor father's face. How he sacrificed his sleep at night to go fishing for me, how he would never complain about the heat of the sun from going to the farm, and how he never failed to surprise me as a father. My father is truly a man that I look up to. He gives me the motivation that I need to go on with my education and remind me that I can do hard things. My family's poor circumstances shaped the way that I see the world and how I see my future career. All I ever want is to make my father proud. I want to be able to give him the things he never get to have when I was a child. Comfort. I want to be able to give my father peace and comfort.