It’s about showing how it’s done: Leroy

The newly-inducted headboy of Tilak High School will continue to advocate on leadership shown by previous prefects over the years.

Kadavu native Leroy Underwood, 18, was overwhelmed yesterday during the prefects' inductions. It was a plus for him to share the lime light with his sister Wynta Underwood who was inducted as the form captain for Year Nine.

“Previous leaders of the school have shown me how leadership should be portrayed. One of the previous school head had once said leadership is not about telling people what to do but showing them how it's done,” Leroy said. Leroy's father, Fergus Underwood, is one other person that he draws inspiration from.

“My father has been a major role model and at times I break down seeing him struggling as he plays the role of both a father and a mother to me and my three sisters,” he said.

“I am also happy that he has always been there for me when I needed help.”

Mr Underwood said he was not surprised to see his son being chosen as headboy.

“I think he just put the icing on the cake in becoming the headboy of the school. One of my biggest challenges was playing both roles as a mum and dad," he said.

Headgirl Kinisimere Solevu, 18, from Lau, said it was her parent's teachings that molded her into the leader she is today.

“For me, one of the important messages is to always keep your parents teaching with you, I have always kept their teaching which has made me to be a much looked up leader and students will look up to us,” she said. Edited by Rusiate Mataika