Maanvi Etasha, 13, was emotional after being awarded the Dux Shield during the Lautoka Zhong Hua School prizegiving ceremony on Thursday.

The Year Eight student said she was still shocked about her achievement.

“I feel proud of myself but then I want to thank my parents because they guided me throughout my primary school journey,” she said.

“My mom and dad and have been pushing me and they’ve kept me motivated.”

She plans to attend Natabua High School next year.

“After high school I’ll probably work towards becoming a lawyer,” she said.

“I would like to thank my teachers and tell other students that if you work hard you can achieve your goals; you have to set it and work towards it.”

Proud mother Shashi Sangeeta Chand, 46, was overjoyed with her daughter’s achievement.

“She has been striving to achieve what she has done today and I am so happy,” she said.

“Her dreams have come true, and she has been a very independent student from the very beginning; always focused in the classroom.”

Mrs Chand said her family had provided stable support for her daughter.

“She has done her part and I think she will be a huge motivation for her younger sister,” she said.

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