Nineteen year old Nuanua Iuli, of Leone and a graduate of Samoan High School, has become the first recipient of the Rising Star Award at the King’s Hawaiian Super Luau.
The sophomore at St. John’s University in New York City is a recipient of the Asian Pacific Islander American Scholarship and is majoring in anthropology and government.
In her acceptance speech, she told the audience that she realizes that when we open doors of education, we give our youth the opportunity to leave our islands as ambassadors of education to see what the world outside Polynesia can teach us.
And she credits her cultural heritage with much of her success so far.
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Miss Iuli said that because of the scholarship support, she will be able to pursue her bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees, without the burden of debt.
“My experience in college so far has been nothing short of enlightening…but it’s also inspired a vision in me,” she said.
Asian Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund continues to support the next generation of Polynesian doctors, lawyers, educators, leaders and students like Nuanua Iuli.
Nuanua is the daughter of Tialuga Vincent and Fa’aalu Iuli of Leone.
