Giving up Facebook for a year as well as game and television time were a few of the factors that pushed Ronish Raj to greater heights this year.

Yesterday he finally got his re­ward when he was announced the dux of Naleba College dur­ing the prizegiving in Labasa.

The 18-year-old received the award for his efforts in scor­ing the highest marks in Math­ematics and Chemistry in his final year.

“I had to sacrifice Facebook for a year, since it always a dis­traction for me,” Ronish said.

“Sacrifice has paid off. I stud­ied for three hours a day after school and had to also give up playing play station and watch­ing television,” he added.

“I was expecting the award, since I was receiving awards since I started school,” Ronish said.

“My parents too have always been a pillar of strength, es­pecially my mum, who has always been there for me,” he said.

He plans to study civil engi­neering at the Fiji National University next year.

“It’s been my childhood dream.”

Mother SarlaWati said: “My son is the youngest in the fam­ily and the only boy, today I am proud of his achievements.”

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

Feedback: nacanieli.tuilevuka@fijisun.com.fj