Receiving the baton of honor at the Natabua High School cadet passing-out parade was a significant achievement for head boy Josefata Naisili.
Naisili commanded a parade of 1,276 students who executed drills and formations after eight weeks of preparation.
“First and foremost, everything has a starting and an ending. Coming in for Year Nine, we were so eager to learn, but time flies so fast that within the blink of an eye, we are here as Year 13 and final year students,” Naisili said.
“It’s a sentimental moment. We have these walls which contain memories, and to know that we are going to exit at the end of the year is quite sad for us, but life has to go on.”
The 18-year-old from Matacawalevu, Yasawa, with maternal links to Naisisili, Yasawa, reflected on the past four years at the Lautoka school.
He commended the student body for their team effort in staging an impressive pass-out parade. “Cadet training is part of us; it is special,” he said.
“For the past eight weeks, we trained once a week. During weeks nine and 10, we increased to twice a week. This week was our barrack week, during which we refined and finalized our moves for today’s cadet passing-out.”
“With great roles come great responsibilities, and I’m honored to be leading the school.”
He urged his junior colleagues to capitalize on every opportunity given to them. “Grab every opportunity that comes your way because once that opportunity is gone, it becomes a memory which you can do nothing about,” he said.