Two high school students from Papua expressed their pride and excitement in participating in Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day celebrations as members of the prestigious Pasukan Pengibar Bendera Pusaka (Paskibraka). Franciscus Sakfiris Pahabolisage from Papua Pegunungan Province and a student at SMA Negeri 1 Wamena, along with Stincek Laramiapa from Papua Tengah Province representing SMA Negeri 1 Nabire, had the honor of being part of the ceremony at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta alongside President Prabowo Subianto.
Franciscus expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, stating that he used to only watch such events on TV or his phone. He also thanked the President for selecting them to participate and mentioned the arduous selection process, especially the physical training, which was a new challenge for him.
On the other hand, Stincek shared her commitment to delivering her best performance during the flag-raising ceremony, aiming to make the country proud. She discussed the camaraderie and unity she forged with fellow Paskibraka members from all 38 provinces during training, highlighting the importance of teamwork and support.
Both students admitted to feeling a mix of nerves and excitement about the upcoming performance on August 17 but expressed their joy in earning this moment through their hard work and dedication. They are truly honored to represent their provinces and be part of such a significant event in Indonesia’s history.
