Hemara Prettarosy Muliaga is the Year 8 Dux for the St. Mary’s Primary School.

The 13-year-old daughter of Kesia Leilua was emotional when she went up to the podium to receive her award.

She gave thanks to her family for their support, especially her grandparents whom she dedicated her awards to. 

"The biggest challenges I have faced was losing my grandpa and grandma. It is still hard without them but losing them has only

motivated me to do my best in school,” she said.

Both her grandparents, Lemamea Su’a Sefune Tiumalu and Hemara Filiki Leilua, passed on in the last two years.

As the first born in the family, Hemara said she knew her responsibilities, and the need for her to do well in school. 

"I am the eldest in our family and being the eldest I know I have a big responsibility. If I work hard and do my best in school, I can help my family.”

As the school prefect, she also had to be patient with the students and be a role model.

Hemara is from the Alafua and has two younger brothers: Lalotoa Muliaga and Safune Muliaga.

After her parents’ separation, Safune went to live with their father Tise Muliaga while her brother Lalotoa lives with her and their mother. 

"I live with my mum and younger brother Safune while Lalotoa lives with our dad. It is hard at times that my parents have separated but together they still love and support us,” she added. 

Her mother Kesia said Hemara has been through a lot and her academic success took her by surprise.

“She was very close to her grandparents and I understood that this could have affected her performance this year. However, she has shown nothing but strength and faith despite what our family has gone through,” she said.