Fa'alua Sarota Seuamuli-Tutunoa from the village of Fagamalo has been named the top student of Tutaga Primary School for the 2020 academic year.

Her spiritual parents, Reverend Taulotoga and Sago Viliamu, were ecstatic and were proud of their daughter's achievement.

"I feel so happy that I have completed my journey in Primary," Ms. Tutunoa told the Samoa Observer. 

"It's been a tough and challenging eight years for me but I did it!"

Fagamalo's Women's Committee turned up at the school's prize giving ceremony in uniform to witness and celebrate with the proud parents of the 12-year-old.

Ms. Tutunoa dedicated her success to God first and foremost.

"This would not have been possible if it weren't for God's never-ending love for me,” she added.

And she didn’t take the support of her parents, relatives and spiritual parents as well as the family lightly. 

"I cannot describe how I feel seeing everyone here who supported me throughout my journey. It's true what they say that it takes a village to raise a child. Today, I am grateful for my village,” she added.

"Everyone who helped me, prayed for me, and supported me all these eight years. I hope I made you all proud and know that this achievement is for you."

With science being her favorite subject, Ms. Tutunoa is hoping to become a teacher in the future. 

"I will go to college next year and will major in science because I love science. I want to become a teacher when I grow up because the profession is rewarding.

“I've seen the hard-working teachers from my school making an impact in the lives of the children, including myself, and I want to be like that when I grow up."

The daughter of Seuamuli Tutunoa and Ana Aloaina, she also won first place in English, Science, H.P.E., Visual Arts and Reading.