The future rewards those who press on.
So says Nataliyah Taga, a 19-year-old Caukadrove lass who is a student at Fiji National University, pursuing a degree in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering.
Nataliyah was encouraged by her aunt, who owns Lei Entertainers, to participate in this year’s Coral Coast Festival as Miss Lei Entertainers.
“She told me to join this contest because I’m loud, but I’m usually shy around people,” she shared.
“This was a way I could gain more confidence and be more outspoken.”
With the theme of the carnival centered on “Breaking the Waves of Addiction,” Nataliyah decided to use this platform to advocate for the importance of family time.
She believes home is where healing begins.
Raised by a single mother, Nataliyah is the youngest of six children.
While her family didn’t have much, they found strength and happiness in their close-knit bond.
Her older siblings help support the family through their jobs, but it is the love and unity at home that matter most to her.
She attended Christian Mission Fellowship Primary School in Suva before moving to complete her primary education at Sigatoka Methodist School then on to Sigatoka Andhra Sangam College.
Her message to others, especially those who are shy or introverted, is simple: step out of your comfort zone, be confident, and speak up.