Best female cadet Lilly Vukicigau believes that with determination and hard work, girls can achieve more than boys. The Year 13 student from Lomary Secondary School shared that girls like her are capable of achieving the same as their male counterparts in society.
Vukicigau, the eldest of five siblings, attributed her success to perseverance and hard work. The 18-year-old received the best female cadet award during the Lomary Secondary School passing-out parade on Friday. She noted that it is uncommon for girls to receive such awards in a school cadet passing-out parade.
“I am honored to receive the award despite four weeks of hard training,” Vukicigau said. “I have learned so much over the past weeks of cadet training, and I know that it will help me in the long run.”
She mentioned that many participants were new to the system, especially adjusting to early morning routines during wet weather. “I am happy that we made history despite the rural setting we are in. I want to take this time to thank the Republic of Fiji Military Forces for guiding our students through four weeks of cadet training,” she said.
Vukicigau emphasized that such programs should be an integral part of the school curriculum in the country, as they instill good values in the youth.