Fernando Stefano Miranda Leon

My name is Fernando Stefano Miranda León, and I am from Rapa Nui. I am twenty-one years old, I am an athlete, and I aspire to be a role-model, opening doors for other Rapa Nui students who wish to be a part of Chile's Army. Currently, I am the only Military Cadet from Rapa Nui who studies at the prestigious Escuela Militar, located in Santiago, Chile. In general, there are few Rapa Nui who serve in Chile's Armed Forces (one individual is studying with the Chilean Navy, one with Chile's Aviation Force, and others are with Chile's Police Department). Within my own network of friends, I know that there is interest in pursuing a career within Chile's Armed Forces; however, there seems to be a lack of information within my Rapa Nui community of what that entails.

My intention is to finish my studies and to serve as an example for other young students. I want to show them what it means to achieve a successful lifestyle based upon these following three pillars -- family, studies, and work ethic. As such, I hope to inspire others to develop themselves professionally and to exercise excellence in effort, consistency and work ethic.

The direct benefits for my Rapa Nui community would be:

1. To inspire other young students

2. To show them other alternatives for professional and personal development

3. To become an ambassador between the Rapa Nui community and Chile's Army in order to motivate my community and show them potential work opportunities

4. To offer the Rapa Nui youth the possibility of having and forming a solid profession based in values.