Tears, sleepless nights, two friends from the border region open a new beautiful chapter of their lives

Best friends Nguyen Le Phuong Linh (left) and Nguyen Cam Ly both got 10 points for 1/3 subjects in block C00.

Nguyen Le Phuong Linh (class 12D, Cao Thang High School - Son Tay commune) is the valedictorian of block C00 of Ha Tinh with a total score of 29.25 (Literature 9.5; History 9.75; Geography 10). Few people know that just three months before the exam, Linh lost her beloved father in a sudden incident. That departure left a big void in the family and in the soul of the eighteen-year-old girl.

“There were nights when I studied until late at night, then woke up at 3am to continue reviewing, but cried because I missed my dad. There were times when I thought I didn’t have enough strength. But I promised my dad that I would try my best. I couldn’t let that promise go unfulfilled,” Linh said with a trembling voice and tears in her eyes.

Suppressing her losses, little girl Phuong Linh wrote the story of a resilient valedictorian.

Phuong Linh used to study in block D01 (Math, Literature, English) but when entering grade 12, she decided to switch to block C00 (Literature, History, Geography), a risky turning point when History and Geography were still new lands. She was self-conscious, worried, and even wanted to return to the starting point at times, but Linh chose to continue. For her, the dream of standing on the podium to teach Literature cannot be just a wish, but it needs to be written with determination and silent efforts.

Linh studies an average of 5 hours a day, and during peak exam preparation periods, it can be up to 8 hours. This rigorous schedule does not tire her out, but on the contrary, helps her find rhythm and spiritual support in times of loss.

“I knew I could do the test, but I was really surprised with the result of being valedictorian. I also regret a little because in History, I hesitated on three questions and chose one wrong, but I think this result is also the sweet fruit of my hard work in reviewing.”

Phuong Linh has cherished the dream of becoming a Literature teacher since her junior high school years, but it was not until she entered grade 12 that she decided to choose block C00 to pursue that path clearly. Her goal is to study Literature Pedagogy at Hanoi National University of Education 1 - the school that she has always considered her dream destination.

Ms. Le Thi Tuyet Nhung always cares and stands by to encourage her children.

Ms. Le Thi Tuyet Nhung (Phuong Linh's mother) shared: "Since her father passed away, the family feels like half of it has been lost. I'm worried that she won't be able to recover because the exam is near and the pain is too great. But Linh doesn't give up. There are nights when I wake up early to work, and see the light in her room on at 3am, she's sitting there studying, her eyes still red from crying. To me, today's score is not as important as the fact that she has overcome herself after the loss. She is stronger than I ever thought."

Sitting next to Linh during the months of studying was her close friend of 12 years, Nguyen Cam Ly. In the same class and hometown, Ly was Linh's quietest and most steadfast companion. Cam Ly scored 28.75 points (Literature 9, History 10, Geography 9.75) - an achievement that made many people admire and was only one... breath away from being the valedictorian.

Even though they knew they did well, the two best friends still burst into tears when they checked their exam results.

Cam Ly registered for the History Pedagogy major at Hue University of Education. This girl with a calm smile always believes that History is not just dry milestones but the call of national memory, which needs to be transmitted with heart and patriotism.

“I was surprised with my History score but a little regretful about Geography. I know I could have done better. But this result is a worthy gift for both of us after months of hard work,” Cam Ly confided.

Linh and Ly never set a goal to compete with each other. On the contrary, they both studied together, corrected their papers together, shared every exam question, every tiring moment and even the moments of laughter after each stressful study session. Ly shared: "We are not only best friends but also like two sisters. When Linh lost her father, I was by her side. We didn't say much, just quietly studying together was enough."

In addition to high test scores, Phuong Linh and Cam Ly also have impressive academic achievements. For Linh, the most outstanding was the consolation prize in Literature at the provincial level in grade 10. For Ly, the most outstanding was the third prize in History at the provincial level in grades 11 and 12.

This summer, the "perfect" couple planned to go see movies that they both love.

This summer, before each of them entered a different lecture hall, Linh and Ly promised to go to the movies together, something they both had wished for all year long but could not do because of their busy schedules.

"Phuong Linh and Cam Ly have been close friends since elementary school to high school, always sticking together, accompanying and supporting each other in their studies as well as in life. Both of them are good, energetic students, have a good sense of self-study and always actively participate in class and school activities. Linh is quieter, introverted but very brave; while Ly is calm, confident and always maintains stability in her academic performance. On this occasion, our class is also honored to have 6 students scoring 10 out of a total of 11 students scoring 10 in the whole school. That is the result of a collective that knows how to strive, knows how to share and always preserves feelings", said Ms. Tran Thi Ly - homeroom teacher of class 12D, Cao Thang High School.

In the story of the two friends in the border area, we can see the silence and perseverance of determination. There were tears, sleepless nights and unnamed pain. But in the end, the light from the notebooks and the dream of becoming teachers gave the two friends wings to overcome everything. In the middle of the peaceful border area, the two young girls are writing a beautiful chapter - a chapter of youth who know how to live for their dreams and aspirations to teach on the podiums in the remote areas of Ha Tinh.