Head boy Josefata Naisili received the baton of honor during the Natabua High School cadet passing-out parade on Friday, marking a noteworthy milestone. Mr. Naisili led a parade of 1,276 students who performed various drills and formations after eight weeks of rigorous training.
“Everything has a beginning and an end. When we first entered Year Nine, we were eager to learn, but time has flown by, and we find ourselves as Year 13 students prepared to graduate,” Mr. Naisili remarked. He expressed nostalgia about the memories associated with the school, acknowledging the bittersweet nature of their upcoming departure at the end of the year.
The 18-year-old, who hails from Matacawalevu, Yasawa, and has maternal ties to Naisisili, Yasawa, reminisced about his four years at the Lautoka institution. He praised his peers for their teamwork in organizing a successful passing-out parade.
“Cadet training is integral to our identity; it’s something special,” he stated. Over the past eight weeks, students trained weekly, increasing the frequency to twice a week during the final two weeks of preparation. The final week was dedicated to refining their movements for the passing-out ceremony.
“With great roles come great responsibilities, and I am honored to lead the school,” he added. Mr. Naisili encouraged younger students to seize every opportunity that arises, stating, “Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way because once it’s gone, it becomes merely a memory that you cannot change.”