Risha Mishra and Yetamma Reddy made history as the only two Indo-Fijian females participating in the annual cadet ceremony at Lomary Secondary School on Friday.
Both expressed their excitement about being involved in the cadet training and passing-out event.
Risha Mishra, a Year 11 student, shared that participating in the cadet training gave her a new perspective on life.
Mishra recounted her transition from Rampur College to Lomary Secondary School, describing it as a leap of faith that placed her in a different environment.
“I spent two years at Rampur College, and moving to a new school, especially one dominated by iTaukei, gave me a sense of belonging,” Mishra said.
“Being the only Indo-Fijian girl in my class, I don’t feel different from any other girl in the room.”
Mishra, who dreams of becoming a businesswoman, stood tall despite the heat during the march past parade.
“It’s all in the mind when I decided to participate in this year’s cadet parade. I felt a lot of acceptance from my classmates and teachers, which made all the difference,” she said.
“I realize it was all worth it.”
Meanwhile, Reddy, who has been at Lomary for over two years, noted that this was the first time in history that two Indo-Fijian girls had participated in such an event.
Aspiring to join the Fiji Police Force, she drew on the cadet parade procedures and experiences to understand what it’s like to be in the force.
Reddy noted that the structured nature of cadet training instilled a strong sense of discipline and responsibility.
“Cadets learn to manage time effectively, follow procedures, and meet high standards,” she said.
“Cadet training often involves various challenges and scenarios that require quick thinking and problem-solving.”
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