Sonam’s success dedicated to Mum

Once again, the JP Bayly Trust has awarded a Commemorative Certificate and a cash award of $250.00 and this year it has been awarded to Sonam Kumar who successfully completed her Form 6 at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School in 2010. Sonam received the award from the JP Bayly Trust for achieving the highest mark in English (96 out of 100) and 373/400 for Fiji School Leaving Certificate in 2010. Deputy Chairman Malcolm Paterson presented the award to Sonam at the JP Bayly Trust office on 13th April 2011 and said “The Trust has always placed great emphasis on the value of education and 15 years ago decided to make an annual award available to the student who gained the highest English marks in the School Leaving examination. It therefore, on behalf of the Chairman, who apologises for his absence today, and the Board of the JP Bayly Trust it gives us much pleasure in recognising the fine effort made by Sonam by making this award to her. We understand she is continuing her studies and we wish her all the very best in her future endeavours”. “I’m really honoured to have received this award from the JP Bayly Trust and my hearty thanks goes out to the organisation. This achievement has been possible through a lot of hard work and the support of so many people in my life” Sonam said. “I lost my mum in August 2010 and studying for exams and knowing that she’s wasn’t around was very hard, but my family has been very supportive. We were there for each other the whole time and I count myself lucky to have them around me. My dad has always done his best to make sure his girls get the love of both parents and he hasn’t given us any chance to complain” she said. Sonam dedicated all her success to her mum and dad, her two sisters, her English teacher Mrs Gayathri Prasad and all her friends. “I know my mother is watching and guiding me all the time. If it wasn’t for the support of all these people, I wouldn’t have achieved the success that I have today.” Sonam is currently enrolled in Foundation in Social Science at The University of the South Pacific and is still yet to decide what degree course she will enrol in next year.