The Dux of Laumua o Punaoa, Andrew Tualima Sasagi has dedicated his achievements to his grandmother for the support she has given him throughout his academic life.

Andrew graduated on Wednesday from the Laumua o Punaoa Methodist Technical & Creative Center with a Certificate in Refrigeration and Air Condition, and had also become the school’s top student.

He has dedicated all of his achievements to his grandmother Soosemea Tualega Sasagi, who on Wednesday was proud of her grandson’s efforts.

I am gifting this to my grandma. My grandma is always supporting me everyday,” he told the Samoa Observer on Wednesday.

When Andrew received the top award of the school, his grandmother Soosemea Tualega Sasagi thanked him for his efforts in his education and told him that he has made his family and village proud.

Andrew says he is happy that is he now able to return the support his parents have given him for the past two years while he had studied at the Laumua o Punaoa.

“I feel happy now, I have made my parents happy and especially my teachers,” he said.

He was surprised when he found out he had received the school’s top award, explaining that he never knew it would be his.

“This first time I came here I only had fun at school, just that. It was the challenges from the church minister and parents and teachers to [focus] on studies. Now I have used the advise my teachers have given me,” he said.

His plans for the future is to continue his studies to gain more knowledge to expand the skills that he currently has.

“I would first like to thank the Principal, vice principal and the teachers for the opportunity given to me to study here at this school. I thank my parents for their support in what I do at school. Thank you for supporting my education,” he said.

He had also given thanks to his teachers and his fellow peers.

“Thank you for the advice and everything you have done, thank you to my brothers and sisters here at school for the great relationship,” he said.