Mong female student and the title of valedictorian of excellent 9th grade students in Nghe An province

One winter morning, the border district of Ky Son was covered in fog and cold. However, at Ky Son Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities, laughter still resounded loudly. The students and teachers of the school were proud and happy to hear the news.Results of the Provincial 9th ​​Grade Excellent Student Competitionjust took place. According to Mr. Nguyen Que Truong - Principal, the school had 14 students participating and all won 14 prizes. Including 01 First prize, 01 Second prize, 07 Third prizes and 05 Encouragement prizes.

“This is the first time in the school’s history that so many students have participated and won prizes this year. Because 100% of the school’s students are children of ethnic minorities in the district, the efforts of the teachers and students are something that many people admire,” said Mr. Nguyen Que Truong.

In class 9A, groups of people were surrounding student Cu Gau Xu to congratulate her. Sharing about this joy, the Mong student said: Gau Xu's house is in Tien Tieu village, in the border commune of Nam Can. Her father is a commune official, and her mother is a freelance worker. Gau Xu is the second child in a family of four siblings. When she was in primary school, with her talent, Gau Xu participated in and won many district-level awards. Among them, there was the second prize in a storytelling contest about Uncle Ho's example. That was also an honor and motivation for Gau Xu to strive to overcome the prejudice that "girls do not need to study" in the backward thinking of many Mong people.

In grade 2, passing the entrance exam to the district's boarding school, Cu Gau Xu was passionate about Civic Education, a subject that many students still consider dry and uninteresting.

“Many people say that, but in every class I find joy and useful, valuable lessons. I find this subject suitable for my ability, supplementing me with the knowledge and skills I lack in life and in dealing with social relationships” – Gau Xu shared.

Therefore, in the 8th grade, in the district-level excellent student competition, Gau Xu won first prize. Then in the selection rounds for the provincial excellent student competition, he also demonstrated his ability when he continuously ranked first. Gau Xu said that, in addition to the school schedule of reviewing twice a week, he spent the rest of his time self-studying.

“To do well in this subject that my friends often say is boring, I first set goals for myself. At first, I set small goals, and after completing them, I set bigger goals. I refer to books, newspapers, documents, and television programs and draw my own lessons. My way of studying is just that simple,” Gau Xu “revealed.”

Teacher Tran Thi Thu Hang, the teacher who directly trained Gau Xu, said: This school year, she has 4 students who she trained who all won prizes in the provincial Civic Education subject and all 4 of them are Mong. Among them, Gau Xu has always maintained his achievements through all the tests.

“In addition to reviewing in class, I also take the opportunity to review at night for the students regardless of rain or shine. In return, Mong students like you are all very obedient and hard-working. In particular, Gau Xu is someone who always has a fresh and creative perspective on all issues,” Ms. Hang confided.

Talking about his dream, Cu Gau Xu shared: “In the future, I want to become an editor because I have been passionate about it since I was a child and have also participated as an MC for many programs. My hometown has majestic mountains, a bustling border market with cultural beauty that many people have never known. Becoming an editor is an opportunity for me to introduce my hometown to friends everywhere.”