Contestant aims to maintain winning streak
Ateca Ledua sponsored by the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) is confident of maintaining her sponsors winning streak by grabbing the double crown at this year’s 2018 Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North. Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) contestants have been winning the Miss Charity crown for eight years in a row and Miss Vodafone Friendly North for the past two years.
The 19-year-old of Kadavu is among the 12 queen contestants who will take part in the weeklong festival at Subrail Park in Labasa from August 18 to 26.
The University of the South PacificHospitality and Tourism first year student is advocating the protection of nature to save our future generation.
Ms Ledua’s decision to advocate protecting nature to save our future generation is primarily because FSC has boosted the Northern Division economy over the years through sustainable development projects.
“It is a well-known fact; we don’t value a thing until we’ve lost it. Here I mean the trees and plants. Human beings and animals, all are wholly reliant on trees,” she said.
“The largest portion of our food comes from plants and trees. Corn, fruits, vegetables, spices, nuts and many other edibles come from trees.
“They play a very important role in our lives. We are alive because of trees ¬ - a great blessing by God. “Plants and trees are considered to be the rescuers of the nature. If we wouldn’t save them our next generation will have to pay for it. “So, just take care of them and they’ll take care of you.
Ms Ledua said she looked forward to gaining more knowledge, learning new things and observing carnival etiquette to win the crown.
“I never thought that I would be part of a pageant, but I had a dream to help people in any way. This pageant is a way of helping people. It gives me a great opportunity to fulfil my dream,” she said. Ms Ledua listed the late Princess of Wales Diana Spencer as her greatest inspiration.
“As a woman she had many different roles – of a loving mother, of an independent woman, a royal and an example and inspiration to millions of people,” she said. “You know you’ve lived right when you touched the people’s hearts. And this is what she did. She is remembered today for being a good and compassionate person, a devoted mother and a strong woman.” Edited by Epineri Vula