Year 13 student Mingzhong Yu has received the 2025 Valedictorian Award, the highest academic honour in the Church College Fiji Hall of Excellence.
He says that it has not always been easy, as school felt more like a hobby than a priority for him.
While some might call it procrastination, he prefers to call it being himself.
Yu highlights the importance of not delaying the things that matter most such as studying and hard work which, he says, are key to achieving one’s future aspirations.
He dedicates this achievement to his mother, for raising him and supporting him throughout his studies.
Yu’s mother, Xiaoqin Liu, says her son’s accomplishment is the result of strong family values, discipline, and a balance between education and home responsibilities.
She says that education has always been important in their culture, and she has raised her three sons to value both academic excellence and responsibility.
She adds that her sons not only study hard but also help at home with baking, cleaning, and caring for their pets.
She dedicates her son’s award to her own parents, saying the values they taught her are the same she has passed on to her children.
Liu says she always supports her sons in their education and tells them to never worry about money when it comes to their studies.
Principal Cheryl Anita Bhan says the Valedictorian Award, similar to the Dux Award, is given to a student who has been continuously enrolled at Church College Fiji from Years 11 to 13, has not repeated any year level, and has achieved the highest cumulative academic results from Terms 1 to 3 internal assessments over those three years.
Bhan further explains that the student must also complete all service requirements for graduation and must have graduated from seminary.
She adds that Church College Fiji gathered today to honour the academic and sporting achievements of students from Year 7 through to Year 13—marking a significant celebration of effort, dedication, and growth across all levels of the school.
She says that Benny, who has been part of the church school system since Year 1, was recognised for his diligence, steady work ethic, and commitment to doing his best.
Teachers and leaders noted that although he often needs encouragement, he always rises to the occasion—making his achievement a well-deserved milestone.
She explains that today’s programme marked Part 1 of this year’s celebrations.
She continues that the school will hold its Year 13 Graduation Ceremony on Thursday, which will officially close the academic year for Church College Fiji.
Bhan shares that this year is also notable for being the first time in three years that the awards ceremony and graduation have been held separately.
In previous years, both events were combined.
She explains that the decision to separate them was intentional—to ensure that all students, not just Year 13 graduates, receive full recognition for their achievements.
She adds that the school also celebrates excellence in sports, emphasising that students can demonstrate greatness in many forms. The sporting awards highlighted values such as integrity, humility, service, love, and kindness—qualities that any student can aspire to, regardless of popularity or academic standing.
As the school looks ahead to Thursday’s graduation, she says today’s event stands as a reminder that every student’s effort matters—and every achievement, big or small, contributes to a thriving school community.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
