Alex Rimbao, one of the pioneer Grade 10 students from the recently upgraded New Erima Junior High School in Port Moresby city was the proud recipient of the Dux award during the school’s 27th graduation held today. The 19-year-old, who hails from the Wapenamanda district of Enga province, scored 3rd placing in Mathematics, 2nd placing in English and 1st placing in Personal Development, Science, Social Science, Business Studies and Agriculture. The youngster expressed great satisfaction over his performance. “After working hard, I’m very happy with the result.” He also shared challenging moments during his studies, much of which involved the difficulty in finances. “I live with my mother who is unemployed, and occasionally it was tough to find bus fare and also lunch money.” Yet in spite of this, the young man defied all odds and performed outstandingly in both Grade 9 and 10. Meanwhile, the external Dux award for Grade 8s was received by Jordan Bayu. Speaking at the graduation, New Erima’s Principal for the Junior High division, Dorothy Lapun, acknowledged the efforts of parents and educators in bringing the students this far in their academic life. “Achievement does not come through individual efforts, it is of, through and with collaboration from a team.” “No teacher alone can make a student become somebody in the future, it takes input from parents, from stakeholders and from students themselves; contributing one way or another to help a school or a student achieve something.” A total of 309 Grade 8s graduated alongside 98 Grade 10s.