Proud parents as daughter Maureen dux of Stella Maris

It was a glorious day for the Mortels, originally from the Philippines, after their Fijian-born daughter took out the Dux Award at the Stella Maris Primary School’s prizegiving at the FMF gymnasium, Suva.

Maureen Mortel, 13, attributed her achievement to the Almighty for giving her the strength and also thanked her parents for their endless support enabling her to achieve her goal.

“Eight years at Stella Maris was quite a challenge but then I thank my teachers for their encouragement, my parents’ support and my friends for helping me.

“The challenge was trying to balance sports and my studies; I was very active in sports but at the same time I had to manage my time wisely so that none of them is left out,” she said.

Maureen’s parents are originally from the Philippines but she was born in Fiji and is the youngest of six children. She hopes to become a business lawyer in the future.

Her parents Wahlen and Marivic Mortel were proud of their daughter’s achievements.

“Maureen is a very hardworking and competitive student; ever since Class One, it was her dream to become the dux of her school; today  she has finally lived her dream and as parents we will continue to support her in whatever career path she wants to take,” Mr Mortel said.

“We give back our thanks to the Almighty for helping our daughter throughout the year.”

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