A young girl who dreams of becoming a Member of Parliament in the future has been crowned Uesiliana College's dux.

Fa'apaia Fa'afetai also topped English, Computer, Mathematics, Geography and History, among other awards she won when the Savai'i-based school held its graduation.

She is the daughter of Rev. Faafetai Fauluga and Mata’u Fauluga who are Methodist Church Ministers. Speaking to the Samoa Observer in a telephone interview, Ms. Fa’afetai said she was grateful to God and her family for their support.

“My parents of course have been such amazing supporters throughout this wonderful journey, I know a lot of difficulties were posed by the pandemic this year but such achievements like these can tell us that not everything has been downturned," she said.

“I have a dream of becoming a successful politician in the future to make good changes in the lives of the people I love and care for and that includes everyone.

“Especially since the country is now in that time of the year where we’re preparing for the General Elections next year, it gives more inspirations into my life these days to pursue my dream when I grow older.”

But before she gets there, Faapaia mainly wants to help her family.

She admits that the academic studies were challenging but she persevered and she acknowledged her teachers for their support.

Her advise to all students of Samoa is to never get tired of studying.

“It’s a habit for every student to get tired of studying but it can also become a habit to love studying," she said. 

"If you keep at it, everything depends on studying really."