Last week five of our Queen’s students competed in the second annual Pasifika Voices Otago Speech Competition.

 The competition was organised by Tiare Makanesi of Otago Girls' High School, and was held at Otago Boys' High School. We had two junior participants, Leah Faitonu (Y10) and Lani Luafitu (Y9), and three senior competitors Serena Evile (Y13), Meleana Veikoso (Y13), and Tiara Nafatali (Y11). All five students spoke with style and made insightful comments about the challenges Pasifika students face in the 21st Century.  Lani Luafitu came second in the junior division with a beautiful and well delivered speech. Tiara Nafatali won the senior division with her fantastic speech about the challenges she will rise to in her life. Tiara took home the Makanesi Pate Trophy. We are immensely proud of all of the students who competed; their stories are so important to hear. Thank you to Otago Girls' and Otago Boys' for organising and hosting. Thank you to all of the teachers and whanau who came to support. Well done girls!!