Staff Bios

Dr. Merav Nagel, Clinical Director/Therapist

We are proud to announce the hiring of Dr. Merav Nagel to serve as Clinical Director and Therapist. Dr. Nagel comes with outstanding credentials and experience to offer to Manuia Plantation's indigenous intervention in Samoa for adolescent males in a village/outback setting.

She expresses her great excitement to make a difference in the lives of the youth of the world and confides "that her partnership with Manuia Plantation of Samoa and its mission to 'Bring Families Closer Together' will be a catalyst for the 'peace process' in the Middle East."

Dr. Nagel has just returned from an around-the-world trip to Mexico City and Israel meeting with colleagues, government leaders and attending educational conferences where she passionately presented academic views of "Samoa Cultural Immersion, Team Building and the Peace Process." Her views were met with great enthusiasm and hope, and has her booked as a presenter for next year's conferences already.

Dr. Merav Nagel has a MA with a 4.0 GPA in Educational Psychology from Haifa University, Ph.D. in Sport Psychology from UNAM and yet another Ph.D. with a 4.0 GPA in Clinical Psychology from Westbrook University. Dr. Merav is fluent in English, Hebrew and Spanish. She served as an Officer and a Captain in the Israeli Defense Force and brings her military and physical fitness to Samoa's outback.

Dr. Nagel worked as a clinical therapist in a variety of settings, including having been involved in educational and clinical workshops for the public worldwide. Nagel is the author of the book 'Perfectionism, Mood States, and Disordered Eating in Female Athletes and Performers' and is presently in the process of publishing the book 'The Secret of the Fit Brain.'

Dr. Nagel's vast experience and education offers all students at Manuia Plantation professional and sound guidance to develop therapeutically and educationally.

PUBLICATIONS:

Nagel, M. (2007). The secret of fit brain. In press.
Nagel, M. (2007). The Influence of exercise on stress and depression. In press.
Nagel, M. (2007). An exercise intervention based on the Chinese modality. In press.
Nagel, M. (2006, March 06). Israel/Palestine relations are very difficult to sort out [letter to the editor]. The Daily Utah Chronicle, pp. 1-2.
Nagel, M. (2006, August 16). Winning is not everything [letters to the editor]. Desert News, G2.
Nagel, M. (2005). A novel approach in treating children with ADHD. Journal of Physical Education and Recreation, 11(2).
Nagel, M. (2005). The return. In: International Poetry Society. New York: International Poetry Society
Nagel, M. (2005). Longest way for self discovery. In: International Poetry Society. New York: International Poetry Society
Nagel, M. (2004). The relationship of the Female Athlete Triad with psycho cognitive functions and balance, Journal of Exercise Science and Fitness, 1(2), 116-124.
Nagel, M. (2003). Perfectionism, mood states, and disordered eating in female athletes and performers. New York: Mellen.
Nagel, M. (2002). Ethnical differences in response to an intervention program in fitness. The Hong Kong Association of Sports Medicine & Sports Science Journal, XIV, 40-48. Recommendations for athletes to lose body fat and increase strength. (2002. April 10). The McKenzie Banner, p. 5B
Nagel, M. (2001). A path analysis of attitudes toward eating, perfectionism, and mood states, in ballet dancers. The Hong Kong Association of Sports Medicine & Sports Science Journal, XIII, 1-21.
Nagel, M. (2000), A proposal for the foundation of a cooperative school in the occupied territories. A proposal for cooperative Palestinian-Israeli education. Jerusalem, Israel: Special Affairs Minister Office.
Nagel, M (1999, Fall). Am I emotionally healthy? The Unitarian Universalistic Newsletter, (4), 3-4.
Nagel, M. (1999). Experiential learning, motivation, and academic achievements; A factor analysis. Unpublished manuscript, Springfield College at MA.
Nagel, M (1998). Education and the future; Integration of body, mind and spirit. Unpublished manuscript, the National Autonomous University of Mexico at Mexico City.
Nagel, M. (1998). Are soldiers prepared to operate in the heat? The Hong Kong Association of Sports Medicine & Sports Science Journal, VII, 56-58.
Nagel, M. (February, 1997). Guidelines and instructions for Israeli students who come to study in the United States. Paper presented at the Minister of Special Affairs office, Tel-Aviv, Israel .
Nagel, M. (1997). Poverty and drugs; the Rosenthal Effect of the Mexican blue collar workers. Unpublished manuscript, the National Autonomous University of Mexico at Mexico City,
Nagel, M. (1996). The sociopsychological and cognitive influences of physical education; An intervention program for underprivileged children. Haifa, Israel: Haifa University.
Nagel, M. (1995). Humor and tolerance to pain in the Kibbutz, Moshav, and City. Unpublished manuscript, Haifa University, Israel.
Nagel, M. (1994). The relationship between the levels of officers' physical fitness and their social status. Tel-Aviv, Israel: The IDF Bulletin.
Nagel, M. (1989). Conflict of puberty. Haifa, Israel: Rechassim

Alema S. Fitisemanu II, Head Coach (Program Director) / Trainer / Owner

Coach Alema S. Fitisemanu II grew up in Apia and is an authority on Samoan culture and Samoa’s tropical island environment. He is thankful for the wisdom gained while part of the management team of Provo Canyon School and Coral Reef Academy Samoa. Each year of experience, 7 years in all, has played a part in solidifying his own beliefs on how to affect change in troubled teens. He has created Manuia Plantation inserting all the necessary components he has come by over the years. He and his wife Geraldine have 5 children of their own and take a hands on approach to their roles as the “Dad and Mom” of Manuia Plantation. Their home over the years has been a place of sanctuary for youth. Whether they lived in Los Angeles, San Diego, Provo UT or Samoa, it is not unusual to find a house-full of youth, over for dinner or just to spend time with their family. Coach Fitisemanu has a BA in Political Science from Brigham Young University and has vast experience in team sports and physical fitness, having played on several championship college football teams including having been inducted in the Brigham Young University Sports Hall of Fame as a member of their 1984 National Championship Football Team. His hobbies are reading, scuba diving, traveling, watching rugby and playing with his kids. Coach lives permanently in Samoa and supervises all student activities.

Sione Tavake, Marketing / Admissions

Sione Tavake grew up in Northern California. He attended University of Utah where he earned a BS in Political Science. Mr. Tavake has vast experience in the juvenile justice system serving as a parole officer, probation officer, foster parent, and tracker. For the last 13 years as Executive Director of New Leaf Alternative a child placement agency serving the State of Utah. Mr. Tavake’s personable and high energy personality has allowed him to make friends with everyone he meets, especially the many youth he’s served over the years. He chairs the National Tongan American Society which amongst many things, serves to educate the Polynesian community in the areas of drug/alcohol abuse, diabetes and higher education. His commitment to Manuia Plantation’s Core Values reveals itself in his personal and family life. He and his good wife Maile have 6 children and have lived in Draper Utah for 11 years.