In this article, Nanea writes about her passions, what she's grateful for, and who she hopes to be.
By Nanea Satterfield '21 | November 25, 2020
My culture, my home (Hawai’i), and my family are three things that have shaped me into the person I am. I live a life full of appreciation, and always try to give back to the people and places that have contributed to shaping my identity. From a young age, this lesson of practicing appreciation was instilled in me by my parents, and has made me a better person because of it. It has prompted me to do a project for my grandmother’s cooking, inspired me to do community service, and helped me choose the career path I hope to pursue. Overall, learning to appreciate the little things in my life has given me purpose, direction, and happiness.
My grandmother’s cooking is one of these things, and as of last summer I have created a documentary of her family-famous recipes. Growing up, I could always look forward to enjoying a delicious bowl of beef stew, or even better, a slice of her decadent pound cake whenever I would visit. But as time passes by, I’ve realized that the moments I share with her won’t last forever. This is what prompted me to create the video documentary. I want to thank my grandmother for all of the times she’s provided me with her wonderful cooking by preserving her recipes in film. My appreciation for my grandma is unmatched, and my love for her is even more so.
In many ways, my culture is one of the largest parts of who I am. It has shaped how I go about my daily life, how I choose to connect with my community, and how I view the world. Community service, specifically tailored to Hawaiian culture, is something I seek to partake in. I love to volunteer at the lo’i patches in Papahana Kualoa, where I feel that I am preserving a traditional Hawaiian practice for generations to come. I choose to volunteer at these places because of my gratitude for my Hawaiian heritage. It has truly guided me throughout my life, and I plan on bringing my culture to the places I go later in life.
Lastly, in the future I aspire to have a career in finance, and also serve in our armed forces. I hope to major in finance to (one day) give others the gift of living without financial burden. It’s a gift I’ve been fortunate enough to have my entire life, and having a career where I could help others achieve this would give my life fulfillment. I also wish to serve in our armed forces, and aspire to be a part of the United States Air Force Academy. Even if I do not attend, I hope to eventually serve to give back to the community that has blessed me with more opportunities and gifts than I could have ever asked for.
Appreciation has been a core value in my life, and is one of the main attributes to who I am today. If I could credit my happiness to one thing, I would say that it’s appreciating everything in my life, both big and small, and never forgetting the many things I have to be thankful for.
To view Nanea's video documentation of her grandma's pound cake and beef stew recipes (in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi!), watch these videos on our YouTube channel!
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