Vannes Sendito received the prestigious top scholar award – the 2022 Dux of Tereora College – to a big round of applause from the students at the national college prizegiving ceremony yesterday morning.

Sendito, who was still quietly in shock after the awards ceremony held at the National Auditorium, said: “I’m very grateful, because I have worked very hard throughout the year to get what I have, to achieve what I have achieved.”

“Studying is a lot of fun as long as you put all your effort into it. And you’ll find that achieving things will make you happier and that your future will become brighter if you work harder.”

Sendito said that she “definitely” wanted to enter the medical field. Her plan next year is to apply for a scholarship or for a government job and see what scholarships they will have on offer.

The Dux award was sponsored by CITC which included a trophy, laptop and cash prize.

Daniel Tolosa received the ‘Proxime Accessit’ (runner-up Dux) sponsored by the Cook Islands Financial Services Development Authority with a trophy, a $200 Vodafone voucher, a laptop and accessories worth $1298.

Outgoing principal of Tereora College, Tania Morgan, who has led the college for 19 years, announced Teremoana Ngaau as the new principal. Ngaau is currently the associate principal.

• More in tomorrow’s edition