A student who aspires to work as a journalist for the Samoa Observer, Elisha Amalamo, is the Saleaula Primary School dux for this academic year.

The thirteen-year-old from the villages of Saleaula and Vailele was overjoyed after overcoming this year's challenges to finish the year as the top student of the 2020 graduating class.

"The greatest part about today is seeing my parents so happy and proud," Mr Amalamo told the Samoa Observer. 

"I feel so happy and also humbled at the same time. And I thank the Lord for his blessings and love upon me." 

While Mr Amalamo celebrates his success along with his family and friends following the school's prize giving ceremony on Thursday, he was reminded of the challenges he faced in his academic journey in primary school.

"There were so many challenges and temptations. One of the challenges for me was trying to balance my studies and all the chores and responsibilities at home,” he added. "There were times when I felt like giving up because there were assignments piling up and I had no time to finish it. 

"But I am grateful that I made it this far and I am so happy with the results." 

Mr Amalamo is well aware that as the curtain falls on his primary school journey, more challenges await him.

"I know that the ending of my journey is the beginning of another. I also know that there will be more challenges and that it will be harder. 

"But as my father always says, if I put God first in all I do, I will overcome everything and anything in this life."

In saying that, Mr Amalamo vows to continue striving for his best to achieve his dream and hopes to get a spot at Vaimauga College next year. 

"I want to attend Vaimauga College because I have some relatives who can help me with my studies.

"I want to work for a newspaper when I grow up. I want to work for the Samoa Observer because it is the best newspaper and because they inform people about what happens in Samoa and overseas.

"I think I will learn more about life in Samoa if I work at Samoa Observer, and if it's God's will, I will be happy to write for that paper." 

Mr Amalamo is the third child out of his parents' six children. He also won first place in mathematics, science, Samoan and social studies.