Liana Puga

2026-2027 Academic Year

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Liana is a dedicated student, athlete, leader, and community member who is committed to making a positive impact on those around her. Through her involvement in gymnastics, she has developed a strong foundation in leadership, perseverance, teamwork, and service. The sport has taught her the importance of supporting others, leading by example, overcoming challenges, and fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, encouraged, and empowered to succeed.

Liana believes that leadership is not defined by a title or position, but by the ability to inspire, uplift, and support others through meaningful actions. Her experiences as an athlete have shown her the importance of resilience, accountability, and collaboration, all of which have shaped her approach to leadership both on and off the mat. She strives to use these qualities to build strong relationships and contribute positively to the communities of which she is a part.

One issue that is especially meaningful to Liana is food insecurity. She believes that access to nutritious food is a fundamental human need and that no individual or family should have to face the uncertainty of where their next meal will come from. Her concern for this issue reflects her deep sense of compassion and her commitment to addressing challenges that affect the well-being of others. Liana understands that creating meaningful change begins with recognizing the needs of a community and taking action to help meet them.

As she begins her journey at Ithaca College, Liana hopes to continue developing as a leader, advocate, and community member. Through service, collaboration, and a commitment to helping others, she aims to make a meaningful difference while inspiring those around her to do the same.

Liana believes being MLK Scholar means embodying Dr. King's legacy through leadership, service, and compassion. They hope to use the lessons they have gained from the gymnastics community to positively influence others while continuing to advocate for those facing food insecurity and other challenges within their community. Liana strives to lead with empathy, integrity, and purpose, believing that even small acts of service can create meaningful and lasting change.

Liana Puga, 2025