Money is not everything; follow your dream to deliver you out of boredom.

These were comments made by Serena Dakuni, who scooped the Dux prize during the Pivot Point Fiji Institute graduation ceremony 2017 at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi last Friday night.

The Vadravadra, Gau native was delighted after she passed with flying colours which set her up for a special award.

She was among 211 students who graduated from the institution after going through a six-month beauty therapist programme.

Ms Dakuni said: “After my last employment I tried to do something that I will enjoy. I always have an interest in the beauty industry. For this I wanted to do something that is totally different”.

“When you stay too long in a work it becomes monotonous and so I always wanted to do something that I enjoy and that gives me satisfaction because money is not everything,” she added.

After her Year 12 education she took on the challenge to earn herself a wage and it was mostly on finance, administration and book keeping.

“I then emphasised that beauty is not about beauty only, but it is also about skin care, client care, and customer service,” she said.

According to her the assessment is not only on her appearance, how she treats her clients but it is from her everyday life as a student.

Ms Dakuni is single; and resides with her mum who is her source of inspiration these days.

“It was just through God, family and friends in that order we can do it,” she said.

She was among the total of 211 students who graduated from the institution, after undergoing a six month beauty therapist programme.

Roma Chand, 19, scooped the principal’s award in her discipline and she thanked God the Almighty for the strength and knowledge together with support the of her parents.

“I’m really grateful to the Almighty for the strengths and knowledge, secondly to my parents who were always there to support me and my husband who is always encouraging me in every step of my life,” Ms Chand said.

“Actually becoming a beauty therapist is not as easy as everyone thought and as always people think everyone who has their education and courage can go through anything in life.”

She started the beauty therapy course at the Fiji National University.

She came to know of the course through Facebook and her dad agreed to pay her fees.

Ms Chand currently works at the Beauty Mantra in Suva.

Major Awards:

Dux Beauty 2017 – Sereama Dakuni Principal’s Award – Roma Chand

Creative Award – Sonia Lata

Leadership Award – Teresia Togamalo

Excellence in Fitness–Aisea Tuidriva

Edited by Percy Kean

Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj