'Never Give Up'- Lami High School Head Boy Tells

He looked up for some time, cried and told a story that may bring tears to your eyes.

It’s a story of pain and failure yet triumph and success for Tevita Waqanivalu, Lami High School’s newly-inducted head boy.

The 18-year-old yesterday stood tall, proud of his achievement and realising that all this was because he never gave up.

He lost his mother when he was four months old.

When he in primary school he was hit by a car. The accident almost ended his life. But despite all that, he never gave up.

A scar running down his left cheek is evident of the accident.

The lad from Nalotu, Yawe in Kadavu said he was proud that he took the decision to repeat Year 12.

“I did not expect to be the head boy this year, but I want to thank the teachers for believing in me,” Tevita said.

“This is a big responsibility, and I will do my best.

“I attended Year 9 to Year 12 at Marist Brothers High School and I repeated Year 12 at Lami High.

“I believe that sometimes we all need a second chance.

“Second chance for some people means a lot and I want to thank Lami High School for giving me that.

“I know my mother is looking down on me and is proud of the person I have become.

“A lot of people have helped me to be who I am today and without them I would not be here.

“A lot of people when they hear Lami they associate it with bad activities.

“As the head boy I believe that I must always be approachable to students so when they are going through something, they can always come to me when they need someone to talk to.

“Never give up when things are not going the way you planned because it is one way of God telling you that you are not ready.

“Or it just isn’t your time.”

Head girl

Head girl Fane Delai said she was grateful and beyond blessed to be given the opportunity to serve the school in a leader’s capacity.

Her aim is to work with fellow student leaders and teachers to meet their objectives throughout the year.

Lami High School head girl, Fane Delai with family members ( from left) uncle Joni Buinitaria, parents Lepani and Akanisi Delai with sisters Faith and Luisa Makoto following the prefect induction ceremony on February 18, 2021. Photo: Ronald Kumar

She wants prefects to balance the roles and responsibilities of studies and leadership because time management was important at tertiary level.

“Nurturing leadership qualities is important to make us succeed at higher education level,” Fane said.

“In school, it is hard to control some students but if leaders respect them, they will respect us as well because it goes both ways.”

46 students were badged yesterday.

More than 200 students attend Lami High School.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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