PREFECTS INDUCTIONS
Village boy from Namulomulo, Nadi, heads MBHS
T he walls of Lambert Hall at the Marist Brothers High School (MBHS) echoed loud with applause and appreciation when Setoki Naceta Waqaliva was announced as the head boy yesterday. He is not new to the role, he was the head boy for Mount Saint Mary’s School, Nadi in 2016. Setoki, 18, who hails from Namulomulo Village in Nawaka, Nadi, in the province of Ba was emotional as he spoke about his humble beginning. His father is a retired worker for Water Authority of Fiji. They now depend on their subsistence farming for living. “I am working really hard to try and lighten the burden for my parents in any way possible,” Setoki said. “When things get tough, I close my eyes and picture my hard working parents and that motivates me to do my best in every little thing I do. “My parents believed in me and I believe it is my duty to do my best so I can look after them when they are old. “I am the first from my clan to attend Marist Brothers High School. An uncle from my maternal side also attended MBHS. “I believe that I was accepted to this school for a reason. I will never let my parents down because they have so much hope in me. “I know that the challenges I have gone through and going through has helped me to become the person I am today.” Proud mother, Asenaca Waqaliva could not hold back her tears as she described the hardship her son went through. “My son had to walk and cross a river to take a bus to reach school every day when he was in primary school,” Mrs Waqaliva said. “He is considerate, and he helps us in any way he can. “It is a proud moment for us to witness our son being inducted as the head boy of this school. We thank the teachers for believing in our child and I know that he would never let them down. “We came all the way from the village to be part of today. It was an emotional moment when my son’s name was announced because we did not know he was going to be the head boy. “We always talk to our son when he comes home for break and always encourage and motivate him to do his best.” Chief guest, Justice Salesi Temo encouraged the prefects to always listen to everyone before making a decision. “Motivate and encourage student to do better,” he said. Deputy head boys are Michael Eli, Alipate Rarawa, Steven Gauna and Nathan Houng Tiy. Gerard Furivai was appointed the student council president.