Bulileka College Year 13 student, Prashil Prakash wished his late father was around to see him receive the Dux Award during their prizegiving in Labasa yesterday.

“I really miss my father, Dhirendra Prakash and he would have been very happy to see me receive this award,” Mr Prakash said.

“My father, before he died on June 22, told me ‘Beta (son), this is your final year, graduate from college with good results”.

“He also told me that it was every father’s dream to walk up to the stage and stand beside his son with the trophy,” the 19-year-old said.

.“It has been very difficult for me to focus on my studies because I always think of my father. I feel at peace now knowing that I have made my father proud.

He is the youngest of three siblings.

He also thanked his two elder sisters and his brother-in-law for supporting him after the death of his father.

He plans to become a civil engineer in the future.

He received prizes for scoring the highest marks in Physics and Information Technology (IT). He also received the Excellence and Religious Committee awards, and the Year 13 first prize.

shratikan@fijisun.com.fj