Ana Seru, who grew up in the challenging environment of the Raiwaqa area, has made a remarkable achievement by being named the top female cadet at the John Wesley College passing-out parade held at Albert Park in Suva. The Year Nine student, aged 14, shared that her week of intense cadet training presented difficulties, particularly due to the humid weather and the complexity of the marching techniques.
Ana acknowledged her challenging upbringing but emphasized her commitment to excelling in her studies. “I had no other choice; the only way to improve my life is through education,” she stated. Originally from Naivucini in Naitasiri, she mentioned the importance of making sound decisions, especially in the face of peer pressure, which she learned from her family.
She dedicated her recognition to her siblings and her father, who were present at the event. Reflecting on her role within her family, Ana said, “I’m the introvert in the family, and I hope this award will inspire my younger siblings to believe that they can achieve anything if they set their minds to it.” Her younger siblings are already expressing interest in joining secondary school and participating in cadet training, motivated by her success.