Barbara tops class, keen to achieve more

By STELLA MARIE AIHI
(DWU Journalism student)
BARBARA Landolph believes that everything one wants to achieve in life depends on one’s determination, drive and diligence.
After scooping the Stem dux awards during the Port Moresby National School of Excellence graduation last month, she feels pleased with herself.
“I am so happy with my achievement and am currently looking forward to what life will bring me next year in my education.”
Barbara, 20, from Milne Bay, is the eldest in a family of four brought up by single mother Angelyn Francis.
Apart from working hard to score good marks at school and eventually securing a good future for herself, she also wants to set a good example to her three younger siblings.
“My family is my motivation, especially my mother, who is so strong and does everything in her power to provide for me and my siblings.”
Barbara’s education journey began at the ABC Literacy School when she was eight. Her grandfather Francis Landolph was a teacher.
After completing elementary school, she moved on to the St John Primary School where she did well academically. She then moved up to the Jubilee Secondary School in 2020 where she received the dux award.
In 2022, she was selected to attend the Port Moresby National School of Excellence.
“It was a smooth flow in my education journey since primary school. But it became more challenging at the POMNSOE because it was a totally new environment. The standard there was very high.”
She was in the second batch of students to take up the newly-introduced Stem (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education.
“It required a lot of concentration. And it was quite stressful for me to take two different curriculum simultaneously – Stem and the outcome-based curriculum that all Grade 12 students have to go through. But through my commitment and most importantly my sound time management, I was able to do well academically.”
Barbara received the Stem dux award after scoring the highest marks in seven subjects.
She is proud of her achievement albeit in a humble way, because despite all the challenges she had encountered at school, she was able to achieve the award that will remain a legacy in the school.
Of the future, she hopes to, in five years’ time, secure a stable job to put her in good stead to support her mother and siblings.
And Barbara will forever be grateful to her family for always being there for her throughout.

“ I am so happy with my achievement and am currently looking forward for what life will bring me next year in my education.”

“No man is an island. Everybody needs support from others to survive. Hence I am grateful to my family for the support throughout my education.”
Her advice to her peers is not take life for granted but to work hard and prioritise their education.
“Do it for your family because they will always be there for you during your good and bad days.”
And as Barbara can attest today, it all comes down to one’s determination, drive and diligence to succeed.