Tears of joy were aplenty at Pesega yesterday where students of Pesega College celebrated the end of the year.

But the day belonged to Mahima Parekh of India and Vaitele who is this year’s Valedictorian.

 “I feel so amazing and I feel like all the hard work from the year has finally paid off,” she said.

“It’s a great feeling but I am very humbled because it wasn’t a smooth ride, there were a lot of challenges especially with exams."

“They were so hard and then the time management this year with our school performing for Independence Day so I had to make sure I perform and at the same time I got studies to do and exams as well so it wasn’t a easy one.”

Asked what next, Ms. Parekh has said a long vacation will do.

“Next step as of now I just want a long vacation and then I’ll think of my future afterwards,” she said. Her father Nayan Parekh said he is very proud of his daughter. “As parents we are so proud of her and she deserves it because she is such a hard working person so it’s great to see her succeed,” he said. "Mahima is the second daughter of Nayan and Vaishali Parekh’s three children.

She is originally from India but resides at Vaitele.

The Salutatorian for Pesega is Wendy Filoi Neemia. She is the youngest of 7 children and she was congratulated by her mother Lotufou Neemia.