Helping her mother collect scrap metal, 15-year-old female student still became valedictorian

(Dan Tri) - In her spare time, Quynh Mi often helps her mother sort scrap metal to make a living. The 20m2 house of the mother and daughter has nothing of value except for dozens of certificates of merit hanging on the walls.

Ngo Dang Quynh Mi (Lan Phong commune) is the valedictorian of the 10th grade entrance exam for the 2025-2026 school year in Quang Ngai province (old) with a total score of 28.5. More admirably, Mi's mother raised her alone by selling scrap metal.

Mi and her mother, Mrs. Ngo Thi Kim Mai (60 years old), live in a house of only 20 square meters. In the house there is only a bed, a set of old tables and chairs and dozens of certificates of merit hanging on the walls.

Ngo Dang Quynh Mi and her mother (Photo: Quoc Trieu).

On the porch, on the old bicycle, is a pile of scrap metal that Mrs. Mai just bought. Collecting scrap metal helps Mrs. Mai earn extra income to support Quynh Mi.

Before, when Mi started school, her parents gave her a small house that used to be a grocery store to live in. Although Quynh Mi's childhood was difficult and deprived, the small house was still filled with laughter.

Every day, Mrs. Mai takes Mi to class and then goes to buy scrap metal. The image of an elderly mother carrying her young daughter on a scrap metal cart has become familiar to the locals.

Quynh Mi and her mother's small house in Lan Phong commune, Quang Ngai province (Photo: Quoc Trieu).

In second grade, Quynh Mi contracted a lymphoma in her neck. The tumor was located near a blood vessel, so it could not be completely removed by surgery due to the risk of complications. As a result, Mi’s health declined significantly. However, inside that small body was an outstanding will.

“Being a single mother has never been easy. Mi and I often get sick. However, we both try to overcome it,” Ms. Mai shared.

Mi has a sense of self-study so her academic performance is always at the top of the class. During the 9 years of primary and secondary school, Mi has always achieved excellent student results. She also achieved high results in the district and provincial level excellent student competitions.

The mother who collects bottles is always proud to have a strong-willed daughter (Photo: Character provided).

Quynh Mi's family was poor so she didn't take extra classes. She studied online using her old phone. In her free time, she helped her mother sort through scrap metal.

Since studying online, Mi suddenly has a passion for information technology. Therefore, the female student plans to study this major at university.

“My biggest obstacle is health. Therefore, I have to arrange my study and rest time appropriately. For me, studying is the only way to change my life and repay my mother’s kindness,” Quynh Mi said.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/phu-me-nhat-ve-chai-nu-sinh-15-tuoi-van-tro-thanh-thu-khoa-20250709142848750.htm