A dream come true, says Paraka

By ZINA KOIM
SHANICE Paraka says it is a dream come true to graduate with a Bachelor of Law degree at the University of Papua New Guinea and also receive the Executive Dean’s award.
“Growing up, I wanted to be a lawyer, specifically I always wanted to be like my dad (Paul Paraka),” she said.
“I never understood fully what he did but all I knew was he was a lawyer. The boys wear black and white and then they go to court. I can remember this day at the tender age of about three or four.”
Paraka, 25, from Baiyer valley in Western Highlands graduated with the highest Grade Point Average.
“This very moment, this graduation day, has always been a dream of mine before I could walk properly,” she said.
“And no matter what life threw my way, I was determined to make sure that my dream came true.”
She completed high school in 2016 but did not continued her education because of some family problems around 2011 and 2012.
She returned to her village in Baiyer.
“But in 2018, after being inspired by the humanitarian work my father had done in his district, it was enough to make me understand the true power that education holds and how impactful it can be when knowledge is applied it creates opportunities for
yourself.”
She went back to UPNG to pursue her dream career.
While studying, she volunteered for activities and did her internships.
“My first internship was with the Business Council of PNG for a year (which) propelled me to start my first (stint) with Helen’s and eventually KPMG. So again good experience during my four years,” she said.
She acknowledge her dad for being her life lecturer.
“He has taught me everything that I know today and his believe in me has given me the confidence and the assurance that I needed to believe in myself.”