Dux dedicates achievement to mum

By Adel Fruean 25 November 2018, 12:00AM

Talalupelele Tolovaa is the Dux of the Chanel College.

The 19-year-old topped her Year 13 arts class by coming first in English, geography, computer studies, history, and third in Samoan to come out the overall winner.

She dedicated her academic success to her mother Juliana Tolovaa, during the school’s prize giving ceremony on Saturday, which was held at the Chanel College hall in Moamoa.

She is from Salailua, Fausaga Safata, Lalomanu and Nuu Fou hopes to work in an office job in the future so she can provide a better life for her mother.

“Everything I did was all for my mother, I was raised by a single mother and so my determination was all driven by my love for her.

“Personally, the main difficulties I faced were financial, because it is just the two of us. But I am so grateful to my aunties and uncles for contributing so much in helping us and especially myself throughout my school.

“To get to where I am today, it was not an easy journey, I had to focus and pay great attention towards my studies,” she said. 

Talalupelele also said her faith in God played a big role in enabling her to tick off on the accomplishments. 

Shedding tears of joy at the momentous occasion brought on by her daughter’s success, Juliana said her daughter’s results were a surprise to her. 

“I am overjoyed beyond compare because I did not expect to see such results from her that was just unbelievable.

“But we must first and foremost give back the praise and glory to the Lord for it was through his guidance and support that has enabled my daughter to reach such limits.

“I am truly grateful towards my daughter for never giving up and striving for excellence,” she said.

The 48-year-old single mother from Nuu Fou also expressed her gratitude towards her sisters, brothers and family for supporting her daughter.  

In other results, Tracie Josephine Sanele took the Year 9 overall winner prize while Oneone Mosese topped Year 10. In Year 11 Upulasi Logovi’i came first overall while Inailau Aletaseta took out Year 12 overall.

For the Year 13 graduating class of 2018, the second runner up to Talalupelele was Francis Maliko and first runner up Akesa Ma Chong. 

The graduation ceremony last Friday was the culmination of another academic year for Chanel College principal Father Brian Sigere.

“The students have produced good results that we had expected, but even though we faced some challenges but pulled through. One of the difficulties that we faced was the financial side in running the school and having to juggle the responsibility of fundraising and managing the school,” he said.

By Adel Fruean 25 November 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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