Fiji Sun

Losing her father five years ago fails to deter Lusiana Boutu from achieving her academic goals.

The Assemblies of God High School Year 13 student received the 2016 Minister’s Award in the Fiji Year 12 Of­fice Technology for scoring 93 per cent in the subject on Friday, which was the high­est for the subject in the na­tional examination last year.

As usual she again picked up this year’s AOGHS Year 13 Economics and Office Technology prizes.

“I feel truly blessed today; it’s a momentous occasion,” Lusiana said.

“I want to study econom­ics and official statistics at the University of the South Pacific.

“I would love to go to Kiri­bati and use my qualifica­tions to help the country.

“Some people make fun of us, especially with how cli­mate change is impacting us, but they don’t know what it’s like for a girl like me who has never seen that island.

“If I had the opportunity I would love to go to Kiritbati and help in whatever way I can.”

When asked about her fa­ther, Lusiana became emo­tional and chose to move on to the next question.

Her mum, Efalini Boutu, said she was extremely proud of her daughter. The Macuata woman was also sure her late husband would have been proud if he were still alive today.

As an award winning stu­dent waiting to take the world by storm, she had ad­vice for her fellow teenagers with the same aspirations.

She said: “Nothing is im­possible with God and all my strength comes from him.”

Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola

sheldon.chanel@fijisun.com.fj