She is the only one in her class from her school to attend the University of the South Pacific. That’s Penina Siteri Manara, the first Year 13 graduate of Moce Island Secondary School to pursue her studies at USP.
Her peers have opted to join different tertiary institutions after passing their external examination. In a statement issued by USP, Ms Manara’s wish to join USP developed when she was a primary school student.
The 19-year-old visited the Laucala Campus with her father and uncle. New to Suva, she was fascinated that students in Fiji and the Pacific could access the different classrooms, recreational facilities, and offices in the greater USP campus.
Ms Manara said she was overwhelmed after being told she topped the 2022 Moce Secondary School Year 13 results. She left Moce for Suva on Christmas Eve last December to sort out her application and related stuff before the beginning of semester one.
“We have made a lot of sacrifices,” she said.
“We spent our 2022 Christmas on the boat as we were travelling to Suva and my parents have pledged that they will prioritise my education and they stand ready to pitch in wherever and whenever applicable. Moce Secondary School has developed over the years and 2021 was history in the making when the school started to enrol students at the Year 13 level.
“I am proud to say that I will be the first graduate from Moce Secondary School to study at USP this year. “This is a dream come true for me and I believe that my achievements will inspire my younger sisters and brothers back in the village, to study hard and work towards achieving their dreams.
“Since my early high school days, I had been longing to join the USP family. Whenever I got the chance to browse the internet from the island, I used to search USP, the programs it offered, and the amazing facilities within the Laucala Campus.”
Ms Manara looks forward to the beginning of semester one on February 6 where she will begin her quest to attain a Bachelor of Arts degree.
