Ana Lule Raogo, 14, burst into tears when she was named Dux of the year during the Delainamasi Government School’s annual prizegiving ceremony in Nasinu yesterday.

Faced with negative criticisms in school about her capabilities, Ana brushed aside these thoughts as she focused on her studies during the year.

“They (classmates) used to say that another girl would be the Dux and not me. But I just ignored the comments and told myself to work hard,” she said.

“I never expected to win the Dux award because there are other smart competitive students.”

Ana shared that her teacher was the reason for her success because each morning before class, he would always encourage them to work hard.

As the head girl of the school, she said her duties to control the student prefect body was a challenging role.

But with the help of her prefect peers, work was much easier to control a school roll of more than 1000 students.

As a young girl who studies every afternoon, she said sacrificing two complete hours of studying daily had paid off.

“I feel very happy because I know my hard work has finally paid off,” she said.

She wants to become a teacher.

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

Feedback:  monica.aguilar@fijisun.com.fj