Seventeen-year-old Christopher Anthony Sonny Ah Kuoi could not be prouder as he was declared the top Economics student in the National University of Samoa foundation programmes. 

The award was sponsored by the Central Bank of Samoa and Apia Insurance and Finance Company.

Chris reminisced on his challenging journey as a foundation student who had to juggle his time between his studies and work. 

"Special shoutout to them (sponsor of the award). It's been a long challenging here, with lots of ups and downs, but I got through it all with God's guidance. I had to go through a lot of struggles and challenges, with having to pay my school fees, most especially trying to balance my work and school," he said. 

"I barely had any free time to spend with family and friends but it all paid off in the end. I have my hard-working mother and my big sister to thank for helping me with my tuition. I couldn't have done it without their support in pushing me beyond my limits. 

"With all the obstacles I went through, I think the biggest challenges were financial struggles, the fees are quite costly as well as time management."

Despite the challenges he had to go through, he found motivation in his mother. His mother is his rock, and he hopes to be a hardworking person like his mother. 

He has seen his mother strive to provide for them after his parents separated and it has moulded him into the person he is today. 

"You know, she's giving it everything after my family separated. After all of that, she's still staying strong. She is the foundation for all that I have achieved," Chris said.

Chris acknowledged the support from his four siblings and his mother, as well as his family and friends from all over the world for their continuous support and prayers throughout his academic journey. 

He encouraged the young generation of Samoa that if they fall seven times then get up eight times. Chris graduated from Robert Louis Stevenson Secondary last year.