Seventeen-year-old Eastcott Aupu has been named Dux of Alain Deboismenu Catholic Junior High School following an outstanding academic performance across the school’s internal and external assessments.

Eastcott received the prestigious honour during the school’s seventh Grade 8 and Grade 10 graduation ceremony, held on the school grounds at Wama on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. The ceremony celebrated the graduation of 99 Grade 10 students and 35 Grade 8 students.

Hailing from Apanaipi village in Mekeo, Eastcott is the eldest child in his family and has three younger sisters. Across the seven subjects assessed, he placed first in six—English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Agriculture, and Personal Development—and finished a close second in Business Studies.

His mother, Mrs. Christine Aupu, said she was immensely proud of her son’s achievement, though not surprised by the results. She noted that Eastcott had demonstrated strong academic ability from an early age, consistently earning top grades throughout elementary and primary school.

As the mother of the family’s first-born child, Mrs. Aupu said it was deeply rewarding to see his dedication recognised. She added that she hopes he carries the same focus and discipline into the next stage of his secondary education.

Eastcott’s achievement served as a standout moment during a ceremony celebrating the academic progress of the entire 2026 graduating cohort, setting an inspiring benchmark for younger students across Kairuku District.