Neha Chand could not hold back her tears when she received the dux award of Waiqele College outside Labasa Town on Thursday.
The 19-year-old said, “I wish my father was here to share my moment of joy,” Neha said.
Her father, sugar cane farmer Dewan Chand, had challenged her to get the Dux Award before passing away in July this year.
“I promised him that I would win the Dux Award and place it right in front of him.
“He used to challenge me saying he would wait to see this day little did I know that God would take him away from me.
“My father really struggled to make sure I had all my needs so that I don’t have any excuse for not completing my secondary education,” Neha said.
Neha’s mother Anita Devi said, “I was surprised when she got the Dux Award because most of the time she looked depressed.
“I feel really proud of her, despite her father not been around; she worked hard to win his challenge.”
The youngest of three siblings wants to become a dentist.
The chief guest was senior education officer development, Emosi Cabealawa, who in his address spoke about the three pillars of the Ministry of Education reforms.