Eighteen-year-old Kaveet Kavitesh Kumar’s mother lost her job when COVID-19 hit our shores earlier this year.

But this did not dampen his spirit to work harder in school when he returned after the extended school break.

Kaveet said this experience taught him to be positive in every situation.

Yesterday, the Nadi lad received the Dux Award at Sangam Sadhu Kuppuswamy Memorial College (SSKMC).

He was also awarded the Principal’s Academic Excellence Award, Best Arts student, a District Topper in Nadi for the Fiji Junior Certificate in 2017 and Fiji School Leaving Certificate for 2019 awards.

“My mother had been laid off work during the COVID-19, but that situation taught me to always be positive through every negative situation,” a proud Kaveet said.

His mother, Kushum Lata, a solo mother, expressed joy in her son’s achievements.

She said the fruits of her hard work in raising her three children single handedly and compelling them to work hard and excel in school was paid in full.

A former waitress of Mama’s Pizza Restaurant, Ms Lata said the secrets of her three boys excelling academically was through instilling in them hard work, commitment and sacrifice.

“I was laid off work because of the pandemic, but my eldest son who now has a law firm continues to support us,” Ms Lata shared.

“Being a single mother, I worked very hard to support my three children to get a better education. These characteristics of hard work I have instilled in them.

“Today I am reaping the rewards for the sacrifices I have made. I am proud of my son’s achievements,” she said.

For the dux award, Kaveet said it did not come as a surprise to him because he had a goal set from the start and worked towards it.

The Year 13 student was also the highest scorer in the annual exams, achieving 383 out of 400. He scored 100 per cent in Mathematics and Accounting.

He also topped the Year 13 course works for English, Mathematics, Accounting, Economics and Computer Studies subjects.

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