Siaposu'isu'i Emani Mauai Ajawas was all smiles when she was named the dux of the Vaitele-Uta Primary School and revealed her dreams of becoming a doctor one day.

It was also double celebrations for her as she was excited that she has been accepted in Samoa College with her dreams of becoming a medical practitioner one day getting closer. 

The 13-year-old student topped Gagana Samoa, Social Studies, Basic Science and second in English.

The school's 57-year-old Principal, Su'a Peniamina Finauga told the Samoa Observer there were 754 students in school this year. However, he said 2022 was tough and the year will be remembered for the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic brought to the school and its students.

“The easiest way to communicate with students during the COVID-19 lockdown was to give them assignments and then when done the students would drop off at school,” he said.

“I believed this year was a struggle year for us and the students but it didn’t stop us from fighting for their future and making their dreams come true.”

The mother of the school's dux, Tealofa Mauai, said she was excited that her daughter becoming the dux as her hard work had finally paid off.

"God had a plan for all of us, so I would to take this opportunity to thank God for his love and care. It makes us proud that our daughter Siaposu'isu'i has done so well,” she said.

“I hope God will lead her in her every step of her life and also may her dream came true in the future."

Siaposu'isu'i also thanked God for her academic success, saying: "Without God, I can't stand up like this and become the dux. I know it was a difficult year for me and it was my last year in primary school.

“Because of COVID-19, we were stuck in the mid-year but it didn’t stop me. There were a lot of challenges that I was faced with but the glory goes back to our heavenly father that I finally became the dux this year.”

A total of six students from Vaitele-Uta Primary School have been accepted at the Samoa College, three will go to Avele College, seven to Maluafou College and one to Leulumoega Fou College in 2023.