Chapter 26 — Pride And Scholarship

One month after the memorable picnic, Royal School held a semester-end ceremony with the participation of all students, parents and administrators. This is also an opportunity for the school to officially announce important changes in its policy to support students in difficult circumstances, something that Ms. Kim Ngan has been quietly preparing for many weeks.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Mrs. Kim Ngan spoke to the whole school, her voice was solemn but warmer than her usual strict demeanor, “after witnessing the energetic journey of an excellent student in our school, I realized that the true value of education lies not only in achievement, but also in creating equal opportunities for all talents, regardless of background.”

She continued to announce that her group will officially establish an expanded scholarship fund called "Reach Len", which will not only be limited to a single scholarship per year as before, but will support at least five students in difficult circumstances but with excellent academic achievements each year, along with comprehensive financial and psychological support programs, as well as internship and career orientation opportunities.

“This scholarship fund,” Ms. Kim Ngan said, her eyes looking towards Hoai An sitting in the row of students, “was inspired by a student who taught me, and this whole school, a valuable lesson about willpower, self-esteem, and the power of sincerity in building good relationships, overcoming all class barriers.”

The whole hall simultaneously turned their eyes towards Hoai An, and the bustling applause rang out continuously. Hoai An sat there, tears rolling down her cheeks because she was touched by this meaningful recognition, not only for her, but also opens up opportunities for many students with similar situations in the future.

After the ceremony, Ms. Kim Ngan found Hoai An and gave her a handwritten letter. “I want you to read this,” she said, her voice filled with respect, “this is a sincere thank you from me, for helping me realize the values I had forgotten over the years of running a busy business.”

Hoai An received the letter and was touched beyond words. “Thank you,” she said, her voice choked up, “for trusting and creating opportunities for not only me, but also for many other students in difficult circumstances.”

“That's something I should have done a long time ago,” Mrs. Kim Ngan replied, smiling, “thank you for being the one to open that door of awareness for me.”

That evening, when he got home, Hoai An opened the letter and read it in the privacy of his small room. Each line of Ms. Kim Ngan's words is filled with rare sincerity, telling the story of the years she spent alone supporting the group after her husband left, about how she accidentally lost the connection with her daughter because she was too focused on work, and about how Hoai An's story helped her look back and adjust the way she raised her children as well as the way she ran her business.

"I hope," the letter said, "that this scholarship fund will be the most meaningful gift I can give, not just to you, but to all the talented children out there who are struggling through difficult circumstances, just like you did before entering the Royal School."

Hoai An folded the letter and kept it carefully in her desk drawer, next to the other precious mementos she has accumulated throughout this meaningful journey — the Olympic medal, messages of encouragement from friends, and the first handmade bracelet she ever made to raise funds for her mother.

She sat down at her desk, opened her notebook, and wrote a thoughtful line: "Sometimes, the harshest challenges in life become a bridge, helping me touch and change many other lives, in ways I never dared to imagine." She closed the notebook, filled with pride and gratitude for what she had achieved, as well as what she could continue to spread to future generations of disadvantaged students.

A few days later, Mr. Quang invited Hoai An to join the advisory board of the newly established "Reach Len" scholarship fund, with the role of sharing experiences and providing spiritual support to students who are about to receive scholarships next year. “You have the most valuable practical experience,” the teacher said, “no one understands the difficulties and challenges that scholarship students face better than you.”

“I am very honored to participate,” Hoai An replied, touched by this trust, “I hope to be able to help more friends, so that they do not have to go through difficult and lonely times like I went through in the early days.”

The first meeting of the advisory board took place the following week, Hoai An shared sincerely about her journey, from the early days of being lost, being doubted, oppressed, until finding kind friends and teachers to help her overcome all challenges. The new students, although still confused, listened attentively, feeling deep sympathy from someone who had actually gone through a similar path.

“I think,” a new student timidly asked, “how can I not feel self-conscious when facing classmates with better conditions than me?”

"The most important thing," Hoai An replied, her eyes filled with sincerity, "is that you must believe in your own value, not based on what you own, but based on your efforts, personality, and even the dreams you are pursuing. Material things are just external conditions, but the true value of a person lies inside."

That sincere sharing made the whole room silent for a moment, before sympathetic applause rang out, marking the beginning of a new meaningful mission that Hoai An will continue to pursue for the rest of his student life at Royal School.

Bao Tran, who also attended the meeting in a supporting role, could not hide her pride when watching Hoai An share confidently, inspiring new students. “You really have the talent to inspire,” she said, when the meeting ended, “I think, when you become a doctor, you will also be a dedicated physician, not only healing the body, but also the patient's soul.”

“Thank you,” Hoai An replied, smiling, “and I believe, when you become a writer, your writing will also touch the hearts of many readers, the same way you have touched my heart throughout the past journey.”

The two laughed together, held each other's hands tightly, their eyes filled with confidence in a bright future waiting for them both, even though the road ahead still had many years of arduous study and practice. But With the solid foundation of friendship and the remarkable growth they have both achieved through many challenges, they believe they are ready to face any new chapter in life, together or on separate paths, but always maintain the sincere connection that has been built throughout this tumultuous first year of school.

That evening, when Hoai An told her mother about her new role on the scholarship fund's advisory board, Ms. Hanh couldn't hide her pride. “You are doing so many meaningful things,” she said, gently patting her daughter's head, “not only for yourself, but also for so many others.”

"I learned that from my mother," Hoai An replied, leaning her head on her mother's shoulder, "you always taught me to share and help others, no matter how difficult my situation was. I'm just continuing the values you planted in me from a young age."

Ms. Hanh smiled, hugged her daughter tightly, feeling complete happiness when she saw the child she had raised for the past seventeen years had now grown up, not only in terms of education, but also in terms of personality, and the ability to spread good values to the surrounding community.

“I'm very proud of you, Hoai An,” she said, her voice filled with emotion, “even though the road ahead is still long, I believe, with what you have shown, you will always find a way to shine, to bring good things to yourself and to those around you.”

Mother and daughter sat embracing each other in a small, warm room, the soft yellow light illuminating the space, creating a scene of complete peace and happiness after all the ups and downs that they had both experienced and overcome together during this meaningful journey, a journey that they both believe will continue to write many more beautiful chapters in the coming years.