Two high school students from Papua expressed their pride and excitement in participating in Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day celebrations as members of the elite national flag-raising troop, Pasukan Pengibar Bendera Pusaka (Paskibraka). Franciscus Sakfiris Pahabolisage, representing Papua Pegunungan Province, and Stincek Laramiapa, representing Papua Tengah Province, were honored to take part in the event at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta alongside President Prabowo Subianto.
Franciscus shared his gratitude for the opportunity, mentioning how he used to only watch such events on TV or his phone, but now he can witness it in person. He also thanked the President for selecting them and expressed his excitement in meeting him. Recalling the challenging selection process from the district to the national level, Franciscus highlighted the physical training as one of his biggest challenges.
On the other hand, Stincek expressed her commitment to giving her best performance during the flag-raising ceremony. She mentioned her initial doubts about reaching the national level but emphasized her pride in being part of the Paskibraka team. Stincek also talked about the importance of teamwork, unity, and camaraderie among the participants during training, despite initially being strangers to each other.
While both students admitted feeling nervous about the upcoming performance on August 17, they were more excited and joyful about the experience. Meeting the President in person was a nerve-wracking yet rewarding moment for them, knowing that they had worked hard to earn that opportunity.
Overall, both students were grateful for the chance to represent their provinces and the country in such a prestigious event, showcasing their dedication, enthusiasm, and unity as members of the Paskibraka team.
