Twenty-one-year-old Alivoso Iosefo Rauto lives by the proverb “move in silence and let your success do the talking.”

The Namosi native was the rst amongst his seven siblings to graduate with a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) from the Fiji National University ceremony at the Vodafone Arena, Suva, yesterday.

Growing up in Namosi, Mr Rauto never dreamt that he would one day don a graduation gown and make his parents proud. He dedicated his achievement to his parents who are yaqona farmers.

“I faced a lot of financial difficulties during my three years of studying in Lautoka. I came from the village and was stay- ing with relatives before joining the hostel,” he said.

“I was sponsored by the Tertiary Education Loans Scheme (TELS) in my final year and in the first two years I was sponsored by the Namosi Joint Venture.”

Being the eldest in a family of eight, Mr Rauto said he would now be able to support his siblings nancially.

The energetic young man already has plans to pursue a Bachelor of Law degree at the University of the South Pacific.

An emotional Masilini Rauto said she was proud of her son’s achievement which was the first in their family.

“My son did not let our poor background discour- age him as he always had an eye for success and focused on his studies to be where he is today,” Mrs Rauto said.

“We are not surprised that he was able to achieve his degree today as he has been an exemplary student since primary and high school and also a good role model to his younger siblings.”

About 180 graduates were awarded their certificates and degrees from the College of Humanities and Education.