TEENAGER Penny Rose has never let her disability stop her from striving for academic excellence and being active in co-curricular activities.
At just five months old, she was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a type of cancer that affected her left eye. The eye was operated on and removed.
She demonstrates determination in all aspects of school life, thus earning her a Brave Heart Award from her school SMK Sacred Heart in Sibu, Sarawak.
The Upper 6A3 student was presented with the award by SMK Sacred Heart patron Tan Sri Clement Hii during the school’s annual speech day.
According to the school, Penny has received numerous awards and incentives from the government to further her studies.
Penny said she would strive to get good results in her Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia exam so that she could continue her university education.
The school presented her the Brave Heart Award for her unwavering spirit.
During his speech, Hii, advised students to stop trying to be perfect.
“Never try to be perfect. Just be better today than you were yesterday.
“Life outside of these school gates is meant to be embraced but that can mean different things on different days.
“But, one of the most important things is to enjoy life, be happy and healthy, and be a productive and decent member of society,” he advised.
Hii also encouraged students to make full use of life experiences to make the right decisions.
“Foremost, you will have the life experience of rejection.
“There will, at times, be rejections of some kind by your friends, colleagues, bosses and even strangers.
“There is no need to be dejected by people saying ‘no’ to you.
“It should make you stronger and more determined,” he stressed.
Hii also advised the students to see failure as a precursor to success.
“It’s (failure) an inevitable part of every risk that you take and every choice that you make,” he said.
The top students award went to Tomi Ngu, Eugene Chieng, Darren Tiong, Ivan Ling and Adeka Intan Rintap while Edward Siew grabbed the leadership award.
The winners of the Best Teachers Award were Winston Thomas, Chong Chin Foh, Goh Leh Ling, Law Yuh Ming, Ling Siew Ping and Low Kha Ing.
They each received RM1,000 and a certificate.
Also present was the school principal David Teo.
