One of Leififi College's top students, Aniva Sosene, is subverting expectations by aiming to follow in her father's footsteps as a farmer.

From the villages of Lalomanu Aeipata and Fagalii, the 18-year-old female topped agriculture studies and vocational studies and was the school's second-top student. 

The announcement was received with audible cheers and claps from fellow students and parents alike who were present at the prize giving ceremony on Friday. As many in the audience remarked, it is rare for girls to take interest in those fields, let alone to achieve top marks. 

But that's not the case with Sosene Lutau and Oifea Si'u's daughter, who said agriculture was her favourite subject. 

"My father has a plantation and this is where I practice what I learn in school," she said.

"This is where I learned to plant taros and bananas. Not only about planting but also knowing the important components in the soil and what the crops need.

"Agriculture science has opened by eyes regarding my father's work."

Aniva told Observer that his father takes pride in the fact that one of his children takes interest in his plantation.

"My dad is always happy to see that at least one of his children takes after him in the area of farming," she smiled.

"In the future I want to be a commercial gardener or farmer and be employed in a job that relates with agriculture science."

While Aniva secured top place in a usually male dominated subject, a boy, Penani Fata, won the top spot for food technology and textiles, which teaches cooking and sewing.

Penani and Aniva shared the same views that the subjects are just subjects and gender doesn't matter. 

"Girls can also do plantations," said Aniva.

While Penani said: "Boys can also sew and cook."