TONNY Nawak, 28, comes from a subsistence farming family from Maprik, East Sepik.
After almost 10 years of staying at home due to school fee problems, Nawak graduated as the top student (dux) of the Immanuel Lutheran (ILS) School in Lae.
When I was in Grade 8 in 2010, my father passed away and that was when I left school because there was no one to pay for my school fees.
I was in the village for eight years before my big brother, Robin who was working in Lae with City Hydraulics, (now Spectra), called and said that he wanted me to get of the village.
He told me that there are opportunities in Lae and that he would help find a school for me and also pay my school fees.
Tonny Nawak
Tonny said his brother tried to enroll him at the Lae Secondary School but was unsuccessful due to the number of years he had been out of formal education.
Tonny and his brother were introduced to the Immanuel Lutheran School by a cousin who lives at Malahang.
He was accepted to do his Grade 11 in 2021 after showing his Grade 10 certificate to the school’s superviser Yatu Idauman.
I have been staying with my cousin brother in Malahang while attending school to complete my upper secondary school certificate.
Nawak
May Ikupu, who was Tonny’s language and literature teacher in Grade 12, said Tonny’s performance was very good, he contributed in class discussions and showed respect towards teachers and other students.
She said Tonny have a bright future ahead with the good leadership qualities that he had shown in school.
A long serving teacher Gebane Daira said Tonny was a very humble and committed student, he comes very early to school and leaves very late.
Daira said there are times when she sees him in the classroom doing his school work while others have gone.
Though Daira did not teach Tonny in Grade 12, she still finds time to encourage him.
My message to young people who are in school and to those who have dreams is that with humility, trust and respecting people who are in authority we must work hard and be the best of our own best.
Tonny Nawak