The Tay "flower" in Thuong Bang La

Ha Anh Thu, born in 2010, a Tay ethnic minority student from Thuong Bang La commune, brought great joy to her family, teachers, and friends by becoming the top scorer in the entrance exam for 10th grade at the Lao Cai Provincial Ethnic Boarding High School. Throughout her studies, Thu has always been diligent, passionate about learning, and humble, becoming a shining example for many students in the highlands to follow.

We visited Trung Tam village, Thuong Bang La commune, one summer afternoon. In her small house nestled amidst the hills, Ha Anh Thu was still surprised when she recalled the moment she learned she had topped the entrance exam.

With a radiant smile and eyes sparkling with happiness, Thu shared: “I only thought I had enough points to get into the school, but I didn't expect to get 9.25 in English, 9 in Math, and 8.25 in Literature and become the valedictorian. When my dad called to tell me the results, I burst into tears, ran to show my mom, my hands still trembling.”

Ha Anh Thu is a student at Thuong Bang La Primary and Secondary School. For nine years, she consistently achieved the title of excellent student, excelling in all subjects, but with a particular fondness for Literature. In 8th grade, Thu won first prize in the district-level Literature competition for gifted students; in 9th grade, she continued to win a consolation prize in the same subject at the district level.

The letter stated that, for her, Literature is not just a subject but also a source of nourishment for the soul, helping her to better understand life, people, and society.

I enjoy reading literature, poetry, and newspapers. Reading extensively helps me expand my knowledge, improve my expression, and broaden my perspective. When studying Literature, I often ask myself "why" and "what would I do if I were that character?". I don't attend extra classes because my home is far from the old district center, so I only study in class according to the school curriculum. In class, I pay attention to the teachers' lectures, review the material at home, and complete all assignments. In the evening, I study for about an hour before resting. In the morning, I wake up at 4:30 a.m. to study because my mind is clear and I absorb information quickly at that time.

Sharing more about her study secrets, Thu said she broke down her study plan for each subject. For Math, she practiced many different types of questions, noting down the types of problems she often got wrong to avoid repeating them. For English, she allocated time to memorize vocabulary, practice listening, and take advantage of opportunities to practice communication with teachers. In particular, Thu always made time to exchange ideas with teachers and friends to broaden her knowledge. She believes that by sharing and listening, she understands the issues more deeply, remembers them longer, and gains broader social knowledge, making her more confident in exams.

Not only is Thu a good student, but she is also a good daughter, diligently helping her parents with household chores. The family has two sisters, and since her younger sister is still small, Thu always reminds herself to be more mature and help her parents with small tasks like washing dishes, sweeping the house, and doing laundry…

Mr. Dang Anh Phuong, Principal of Thuong Bang La Primary and Secondary School, said: "Anh Thu is a well-behaved, self-disciplined student with quick thinking and always attentive in class. The most valuable thing about her is her humble personality; she always shares her knowledge with her friends, asks questions when she doesn't understand, and is not afraid to speak up. In this year's entrance exam for 10th grade, Thu became the top student at the Provincial Ethnic Boarding High School. This is a well-deserved achievement for her years of diligent study."

When asked about her future plans, Thu smiled, her eyes shining with hope: "I dream of becoming a Literature teacher. I want to teach the children in my hometown, so that they understand literature, love literature, and become more compassionate and kind-hearted."

For Ha Anh Thu, being a good student isn't just about getting high grades, but also about having goals, dreams, and knowing how to live a decent life.

"I think that being academically successful without compassion is meaningless. When I grow up, I want to be able to help ethnic minority students in mountainous areas, just like my teachers have helped me now."

In Thuong Bang La, Ha Anh Thu - a Tay ethnic female student with a simple yet profound dream - has become an inspiration, inspiring determination, aspiration, and faith in the generation of students in the highlands.

Leaving Thuong Bang La commune, on the winding road under the midday sun, we still vividly remember the image of Ha Anh Thu - the top-scoring student with clear eyes, a gentle voice, and a burning desire to become a village teacher. Today's achievement is just the beginning, but we believe that on her journey ahead, Thu will continue to strive and achieve success.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/bong-hoa-tay-o-thuong-bang-la-post648595.html