Year 12 Sacred Heart High Achiever eyes career in international law

Sacred Heart College student Panapasa Siva dreams of following in his uncle’s footsteps as an international representative for Fiji.

The 18-year-old’s uncle is Fiji’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Jovilisi Suveinakama, who serves as the nation’s ambassador.

“What motivates me is like all my uncles. One of my uncles is an ambassador to the UK,” Siva said after receiving dual awards on yesterday.

He wants to pursue International Law and Politics.

The Year 12 student topped Geography with 97 per cent and Economics with 78 per cent, also scooping first prize in his class level.

Siva said his subject choices aligned with his career aspirations.

“I want to do International Law and Politics. It’s mostly, I have to take History and Geography,” he said.

The fifth of seven siblings faced significant challenges during Term 3 when his teacher fell into a coma and was hospitalised for several weeks.

“We struggled in our studies. I was just revising all of my work,” Siva said.

“I just stepped out of my comfort zone and studied hard. All the late night study and struggle, came in late to school, finally paid off.”

Geography and History are his favourite subjects.

His second eldest sister, who also studied arts, continues to motivate him.

Siva encouraged students to persevere through difficulties.

“If you fail, don't just step down. Be confident and step up,” he said.

“Just be who you want to be. Be the best version of yourself.”

Feedback: kaneta.naimatau@fijisun.com.fj