Nevaiahlia Otara Space Cadet to NASA

Nevaiahlia Leaumuli | 16 Years Old | Samoan | Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate

This year I have been giving the role of a participation leader at our school, this includes leading events such as youth week, culture weeks, and many more exciting events. My role is to get students/staff involved in a broad range of activities and involvement to build inclusion. Additionally, I took part in leadership programmes at my school including TOPS and TRF (The Rising Foundation), which promotes civic engagement. Not just at school, but also in my neighbourhood. I've gained a variety of abilities over the course of my experience, including the ability to connect with people on a personal level, communicate effectively, and embrace others.

For me, the opportunity to attend Space Camp this year will be a once in a lifetime experience. By stating that travelling there is not just for the space camp, but also as a representative from Aotearoa and a student from a low-decile school in South Auckland. My preferred and strongest academic courses are those in the STEM fields. This opportunity will help me increase my STEM knowledge and sharpen my critical thinking abilities. This Space Camp will enable me to thoroughly immerse myself in all STEM-related fields of study. My aim for this camp is to broaden my horizons and discover new things. My dad once told me that the things you experience in a day, can give you the experience of a life time.