BULOU Vuta Seru is still in shock, a day after being crowned Miss Sugar 2010.
"I was so surprised. I thank the Lord for giving me this wonderful opportunity to be an ambassador for the Sugar City," said the Jasper Williams Seventh former who turned 18 the day she scooped the crown.
Age, however, was never an issue. She said her parents' reassurance kept her spirits strong.
"I've now learnt a valuable lesson - it doesn't matter how old you are but how capable you are. I really want to thank my parents for that because they kept telling me from the very beginning that I was going to win even though I doubted my abilities."
Her father, Naivote, is the chief mechanical engineer at the Fiji Sugar Corporation's Lautoka Mill and mother, Ilisapeci, is a stay-at-home mum.
She said she took down extra notes in the week prior to the festival proper, to keep abreast of her studies.
"My principal and teachers were really great, they supported me throughout the event but kept reminding me that education is my priority. I took extra notes to keep up with the others and I know I'm ready for class come next week," she said.
The beaming 18-year-old says she plans to become a nurse after completing high school because of her admiration for the work they do.
"People say it's a dirty job and they have to deal with a lot of unpleasant situations but I really admire them for that. They really do a service to the community and that's something I'm interested in doing," she said.The festival raised $151,000 where Miss Autocare Fiji Ltd Salanieta Musuka walked away with the Miss Charity Crown.