A Samoan girl, Tafaoganiu Kuiniselani Elisara, has been named Suva Christian Community High School's (S.C.C.H.S.) valedictorian for 2021.

She is also the school’s head girl and made history by being the first to graduate with the country's High School Advanced Certificate with Honours.

The S.C.C.H.S.' head girl also claimed awards in Science, Mathematics, Christian Woman Award, Gold Star Award and Best Attendance.

Tafaoganiu is the youngest of two children of Leituala Kuiniselani Toelupe Tago and Gasū Siaki Elisara from the villages of Malie, Moata’a, and Satupaitea. 

Her family left Samoa in January 2015, when her mother, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Women Community and Social Development, resigned to take up a position at the Pacific Community (S.P.C.) where she is currently the Regional Director for Polynesia.

Prior to leaving Samoa, she attended school at Robert Louis Stevenson Primary School and Ah Mu Academy, before she migrated to New Caledonia to live with her family and later moved to Fiji.  

The valedictorian is a science student who aspires to become a Pediatrician and continues to push herself to become better academic wise.

One of her favourite bible verses is “Whoever wants to be leader among you, must be our servant,” Matthew 20:26.

Asked how she felt after making history with her achievement, she said she’s humbled.

Also incredibly grateful that she made it and achieved her goals for 2021 and is thankful to the Lord for his guidance and protection throughout this challenging year.

Some of the challenges or difficulties she faced included when Fiji went into lockdown from April and this meant for the rest of the school year from then onwards, she had to manage her school work and studies online.

To overcome the challenges that came from online schooling, she had to push herself and maintain strict self-discipline. 

She had her end goal in mind the whole time and understood the sacrifices she had to make in order to achieve her end goal which was to graduate. 

Tafaoganiu said the grace of God and her mother’s ongoing support were key in ensuring her success and that she achieves her goals. 

Her father and brother were in Samoa the whole year and she lived alone with her mother for the whole year.

She also acknowledged the support of her teachers whose commitment helped her get through her online studies.

And dedicated her achievement to her parents, her family and all her loved ones that have passed on.

She’s exploring an opportunity to complete Foundation year at the National University of Samoa and hope to have an opportunity to pursue studies in medicine. 

“As her parents, we acknowledge the never-ending prayerful support of our families and loved ones,” said Leituala. 

“I am grateful for this gift and blessing and feel humbled by the faithfulness of the Lord,” her mother said.

“She’s had a hard year but she managed to achieve her goals by being focused and applying great self-discipline.

“She’s made history at Suva Christian Community High School by being the first to graduate with the High School Advanced Certificate, and with Honours and is also the Head Captain/Head Girl for her school.”