Orphaned female valedictorian, mother works as a saleswoman

Orphaned girl overcomes adversity

On the morning of July 17, the small house of To Thi Dieu (village 3, Quang Thai commune, Quang Xuong district, Thanh Hoa) was filled with laughter. Many relatives and neighbors came to congratulate Dieu on being the valedictorian of block C00 nationwide, in the 2024 high school graduation exam.

Dieu said she was very happy to know that her score for 3 subjects in block C00 was 29.75 (literature 9.75 points; history 10 points; geography 10 points) and was very surprised because she was 1 of 19 top students in block C00 nationwide.

Portrait of the female valedictorian of block C00 nationwide (Photo: Character provided).

"When I saw my score and found out I was the valedictorian, I screamed loudly, making neighbors and passersby think something was wrong with my family. Many people stopped to ask questions, and when the problem was clear, everyone was happy and congratulated me," the valedictorian happily said.

Sharing her study secrets, the valedictorian said she doesn’t have her own study secrets. For social subjects, Dieu usually grasps basic knowledge through textbooks, then goes home to read reference books, research more documents online, and focuses on solving the problems assigned by the teacher.

The valedictorian shared that she has a strong passion for literature, history, and geography. The 18-year-old girl set a goal of passing the Literature Pedagogy Department, Hanoi National University of Education I, and dreams of becoming a literature teacher.

Two days before the exam, Dieu learned that she had passed the entrance exam to the Faculty of Literature and Pedagogy of Hanoi National University of Education I. That result was the motivation that helped her to be confident and try her best to do well in the high school graduation exam.

Dieu and her mother were happy after knowing the exam results (Photo: Hanh Linh).

"When I came back from the exam, I knew that I got 10 points for both history and geography. As for literature, I wrote a 5-page test, so I hoped to get a good score. I thought I would pass the university entrance exam, but I never thought I would be the valedictorian," the valedictorian excitedly said.

When she found out she was valedictorian, the female student shared her happiness with her mother, teachers, and friends. "At that time, my mother was sitting next to me. She didn't say anything but just kissed me on the cheek. Even though she couldn't say anything, I knew she was very happy," Dieu confided.

Ms. To Thi Nguyet (Dieu's mother) said that unlike her peers, Dieu lost her father when she was 9 years old. Her husband died, leaving her alone with the responsibility of being a father and mother. She worked hard and diligently as a saleswoman to raise her 2 children.

As if understanding their mother's hardships, Dieu and her sister were always obedient and tried hard in their studies. In grade 9, Dieu won second prize in the provincial literature competition for excellent students, and in grade 12, she won the provincial encouragement prize in literature.

"Dieu is a strong, individualistic child. I am very happy and satisfied when she achieves her dream. Getting into her favorite school is also the wish of my whole family," the student's mother shared.

36 years of establishment, for the first time the school has a valedictorian

Teacher Nguyen Thi He, homeroom teacher of class 12D1, said she was very happy to have a student who was the valedictorian of block C00 nationwide.

"Dieu is an orphan, comes from a poor family, but is a good student, hard-working, and tries hard in her studies. Dieu has the ability to study social subjects. She also actively participates in other activities such as performing arts and writing competitions," said Ms. He.

Quang Xuong 4 High School where Dieu studies (Photo: Hanh Linh).

According to Ms. He, the results today are the result of Dieu's great efforts. "Entering a new stage, I hope Dieu will always maintain her learning spirit, strive to achieve many high results, and soon realize her dream of becoming a literature teacher," Ms. He confided.

Mr. Le Van Tuan, Principal of Quang Xuong 4 High School, said that after 36 years of establishment, this is the first time the school has had a valedictorian.

"At 10am (July 17), we were sure that Quang Xuong 4 High School had the national valedictorian of block C00. I am very happy and proud. In the future, the school hopes that he will continue to develop to achieve even higher results in university," Mr. Tuan shared.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/nu-thu-khoa-mo-coi-bo-me-di-ban-hang-thue-20240717132357291.htm