All the hardships her parents endured have kept Iowana Seveikau determined to excel in her schoolwork.

As a boarding student, she had set her mind on making sure to one day make her parents proud.

An opportunity to do so surfaced last Friday when she was badged head girl of the all-girls Ballantine Memorial School in Delainavesi outside Suva.

This is the second time she would hold the head prefect’s role. The first was in primary school at Ravi Taki District School, Kadavu.

“I’ve seen my parents struggle to buy my school stuff every year,” she said.

“We are from Kadavu, and our income is from farming. Sometimes, they earn little to nothing because of the weather,” she said.

“For them to be both here as I don this leadership position is something I consider a blessing.

“I’m in tears because I know how hard my family has worked for me to pursue my education.”

Her mother, Lusia Seveikau, said the achievement was a perfect Mother’s Day gift.

“When the pandemic started, I moved to Suva because we were not making ends meet while my husband stayed back in the village,” Ms Seveikau said.

“We are from Ravitaki, Kadavu and our only source of income is yaqona. A few years ago, a disease affected the crop, resulting in major loss of income.

“The decision to move to Suva was made to ensure we don’t jeopardize their dream. When we heard that she was going to lead the school, we were so proud as parents. I’m glad we took the risk.”

Her father, Joeli Seveikau got emotional and said: “What my daughter achieved today is worth the struggle we have been through. This shows she’s got a colorful career ahead of her.

“We struggled to provide for her, but her words were always ‘I’m doing well on this side; I will make it’”.

As head girl, she would lead more than 300 students this academic year.

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