PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT

Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center
With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawai‘i

By Titilia Barbour, PIDP Staff

22-year-old Amerita Ravuvu is one of the successful students chosen in 2005 to come to the United States and pursue a BA degree in Geography – Human Geography at the University of Hawai΄i on the United States-South Pacific Scholarship Program. She is the daughter of Asenaca Ravuvu (nee Masi) and Josese Ravuvu of Nakorosule Village, Naitasiri.

Amerita will be graduating this summer and she was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society as a lifetime member under the Campus Chapter of the University of Hawai΄i, Manoa. This prestigious ceremony was held at the Ala Moana Hotel on May 6, 2009. She is also the recipient of the 2008-2009 Bowers Award for undergraduate majors. This award is given annually to a graduating geography major selected by the Geography Faculty based on the student's scholarly record and contributions to departmental activities.

From the Fall of 2006 to 2007, Amerita attended the California State University Northridge as an exchange student for a year. While studying there she was inducted into The National Society of Collegiate Scholars as a lifetime member under the Campus Chapter of California State University, Northridge.

Amerita returned to the University of Hawai΄i to continue her studies and in April of 2007, she was inducted into the Golden Key International Honor Society as a member under the Campus Chapter of the University of Hawai΄i, Manoa.

Ms. Ravuvu has been on the Dean’s List of the College of Arts and Sciences from the Fall of 2005 to 2008.

In addition, in January 2009, Amerita was nominated to the International Scholar Laureate Program IISLP) in the United States of America – sponsored participation in June 2009.

This bubbly young lady loves music, dancing, jogging, hiking, and playing basketball just to name a few of her many other hobbies.