It was a proud moment for Year 13 student Fa’afetai Tinei Falakai on Monday when she was announced the top student of the Church College Pesega 2023.

The 17-year-old from the villages of Toamua, Puipaa and Elise Fou was able to showcase her commitment and hard work in her studies by achieving high scores in her exam results. She was awarded first place in the Year 13 level after she topped Mathematics, Physics and Computer Studies.

The graduation ceremony became an emotional moment for Fa’afetai and her family as she was named the top student and went up to receive her award.

Ms. Falakai said the glory for her accomplishments goes to God and she is grateful to her parents and families for their support throughout her academic journey. She said she is thankful to have such support and hopes to reciprocate the love shown with her future success.

“First and foremost I want to give thanks to our heavenly Father for this great achievement and my parents for always being so supportive of my journey, I am very grateful for you both.

"I would not have come this far if it wasn't for you both, so just hope to return the favour with whatever I have in the future."

She said despite not being named the Valedictorian, she is still happy because her hard work and efforts to be a top student have finally paid off.

“Even though I didn’t get the Valedictorian, I am very honoured and forever blessed because I’m still the top student and first place of Year 13 level of Pesega College,” she said. “In order to be a Valedictorian, one is supposed to have spent three years in the school.

"That is from Year 11 up to Year 13 but sadly I enrolled only in Years 12 and 13 after I came from Samoa College.”

Fa’afetai was taking a full science course in school because she is passionate about becoming a doctor to give back to the country, the community and her people.

“For the future, I really want to become a doctor that is why I’m taking full science courses here in school so I can reach that goal to serve my country, serve my people.”

Her father Falealii Faafetai Tinei was elated at his daughter's achievements and continues to hope for the best for her and their family.

"I am so happy and thankful to God for being faithful to our family. We have continuously uplifted her studies in our prayers and God has shown his love by blessing her with this great achievement.”

Fa’afetai Tinei believes that her journey and her achievements are enough to prove that everyone can do better and that we are born with a purpose on earth.