Hard work has paid off for a young Fijian, Nicholas Vosarogo, whose family has made Samoa home for now.

He was announced the Dux of Samoa Adventist College for 2016 last week. 

He came first 1st in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Computer Studies. 

Nicholas is the son of Saloma Bale Adrole and Josefa Adrole of Fiji and Vaivase and he is a member of Immanuel Church family as well as the Fijian community in Samoa.

“There was a lot of competition in my class hence why I am so surprised,” he said. “I know I have been working very hard throughout the year but I didn’t think I could do it.”

For Nicholas, the best feeling was to see his parents happy.

 “It’s such a great feeling knowing that your parents had sacrificed a lot in life to make sure you get a good education and for you to give something back to them,” he said.

“Especially my mother, she has taught me how to become the person I am today, she taught me how to stand when everyone else falls. She is my great inspiration and my role model and without her I don’t think I’ll be able to make this far.”

 “All the sleepless nights it was hard and there were times I wanted to throw in the towel and just walk away. It was really hard but I knew that if I wanted to achieve my goal and dreams I had to work hard for it.”

So what’s next for the young man?

“Well I’m going to Otago University next year to fulfill my dream to become a medical doctor,” he said.

“This is just the beginning of another long journey but I am relying on God to guide me through this journey and hopefully one day I’ll get to the finish line.”

Ms. Saloma Bale Adrole is naturally pleased.

“Any parent would be so happy and I am one of those parents,” she said.

“Nicholas is a very smart kid and I am glad that he had set a good example for his younger siblings.

“The announcement came as a surprise to us because my son only said for us was to come to his prize giving so when they said his name I was in tears because not only I was happy but I was praising God for all the blessings he has poured out to my family especially my children.”