A student who aspires to be a teacher in the future, Fa’alilo d Ito, has been named the top student of the Afega Primary School Year 8 level.

An avid reader, Fa’alilo said that she is overjoyed with her success because all her hard work and effort directed into her studies this year have paid off.

She also thanked the lord for his guidance and for giving her the wisdom to successfully complete her academic journey this year.

“First and foremost I would like to take this opportunity to thank God above for his guidance and blessings, which have enabled me to achieve this milestone," she said.

"I did not think that I would be this year’s top student in Year 8 because the competition in my class was fierce and competitive. Nevertheless, words cannot express how thankful I am for receiving this great honour.

“I also want to thank my parents for putting me through school and making sure I had lunch, this is my gift to them for all their sacrifices."

The school's Year 8 dux also credited her teachers and the school management including the principal and vice-principal for her success.

“I want to thank all the teachers, principal, and vice-principal of Afega Primary for all the knowledge I’ve gained in the last 8 years I’ve been here,” she said.

The daughter of Afega chief Fata Va’afa’i Tolutasi Ito and mother Lauamanu Ito of Sagone Savai’i,  Fa’alilo said she enjoys reading because it inspires her to dream and expand her imagination as well as increase her knowledge of the world and her surroundings.

“Reading boosts imagination and creativity and also enhances intelligence. It also helps with self-improvement and improves better-thinking skills. 

"Reading any book whether it be a novel, short stories, or magazines can be very useful because it boosts your understanding of the world."

Fa’alilo’s father, Fata Va’afa’i Tolutasi Ito in an interview with the Samoa Observer said all praise to God for what his daughter has achieved.

“I thank God that Fa’alilo has been able to achieve the top honour for Year 8, without him none of this would have been possible,” he said.

“But her efforts do not end here – this is just the first step as there are other steps ahead – because this is not the end of her academic journey.

“Now that she has completed her primary school education, she’ll start the next phase of her academic career next year when she enters college."

Asked what her aspirations are for the future, Fa’alilo replied saying that she wanted to become a teacher.

“I want to be a teacher because teachers get to inspire and educate young people. Teachers also become influential in their students’ lives, inspiring and motivating them to achieve their full potential," she said.

“Becoming a teacher also gives you the opportunity and privilege of making an impact on society by shaping the next generation through providing them the tools and knowledge to form their own opinions, make a contribution and influence society in the future. 

"Teachers do much more than simply teach subject materials."

Fa’alilo further added that she’ll be attending Sagaga College next year because it’s the school her parents want her to attend.