Mikale Lewaicei.

Former Marist Brothers High School student and 2022 Deans Trophy winner winger, Mikale Lewaicei has an ambition to become chief engineer of an international ship.

To achieve this, Lewaicei has begun studies at the Fiji National University’s (FNU), Fiji Maritime Academy (FMA) in Suva. He is enrolled in the Diploma in Marine Engineering programme.

Sporting his fresh white uniform embroidered with the FMA logo, Lewaicei is transitioning from evading opponents and sprinting across the field with a rugby ball to ensuring that all the parts in a ship are up to standard so that it sails smoothly.

Lewaicei, who is originally from Muana, Tunuloa, Cakaudrove in Vanua Levu, played in the wing position for the record-setting Dean’s Trophy winners, the under-18 Marist Brothers High School team last year.

“Boats are a frequent mode of transport when living in the islands. So when I travelled, I would observe the men crew working on the boat and it made me want to be like them,” Lewaicei said with hope in his eyes.

“I was also inspired by my older cousin, who is a seafarer in New Zealand. My father is an army officer, and my mum is in the US.”

“I experienced an immense amount of peer pressure in school, but I countered that by reading my bible and following God’s will.”

Lewaicei says he hopes to apply the same dedication and hard work he displayed on the rugby field to his studies at FMA. In his own words,

“Do your best and God will do the rest.”

Lewaicei’s pursuit of his dreams serves as a reminder that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.