Top learner at Ermelo Combined School motivates matriculants of 2024
She is studying oral health sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
ERMELO – Uchenna Ikeagwuonu, who recently matriculated from Ermelo Combined School, received the award for the top achieving learner at her school for 2023.
She said she is a very reserved person, who likes her own company. “My high school journey was a really nice experience. I learnt a lot from my teachers and classmates. If I was given an opportunity to relive that experience again, I would without even thinking twice,” Uchenna said.
During her time in high school, she mostly enjoyed sport days and being in the assembly every Monday. One of the biggest challenges for her was the English and Afrikaans orals, as she had to speak in front of the whole class.
The highlight of her matric year was when she was nominated to be a prefect, and received the most awards in academics.
“It showed me that hard work really pays off.”
Uchenna told Highvelder her life sciences teacher had motivated her class every morning, and his words of encouragement based on his own experiences helped her decide on what kind of life she wanted after school.
She is studying oral health sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
“I’m looking forward to learning more about independence and being an academic weapon in university too.”
Her only dream for the future is to be a successful woman.
“Just like what my principal used to say to us: ‘You’re the architect of your own future”, that is my advice to the Class of 2024. You are now in charge of deciding what you want in your future and you’re the only one who knows what it will take for you to achieve it. Work hard now so that you can reap more in the future,” she concluded.
