Mum-of-one Shemica excels in college

By JONATHAN KOH
SHEMICA Banga graduated with a Diploma in Electrical Engineering, and also received the top prize in Mathematics two weeks ago from the Port Moresby Technical College – one of the nine girls among the 100 boys in the graduating group.
“It takes hard work (to achieve) whatever you want to pursue in life, and I am proud of (graduating with a) Diploma in Electrical Engineering and receiving the top prize award for Mathematics.”
Shemica, 22, told of how she had to quit classes after Semester One last year to give birth to her first child.
“Last year, I was pregnant but (still) attended classes. I did not give up or quit school. At the end of Semester One, I delivered the baby.”
After giving birth, she completed her National Certificate Five in the field which qualified her to graduate with the diploma.
“The baby is now eight months old. The thought of looking after the child pushed and motivated me to work much harder. I am going to take up advanced diploma this year, and by June I should complete the course.”
Shemica is the eldest in a family of three from Jiwaka.
Her father was a soldier based at the Moem Barracks in Wewak, East Sepik. It was where Shemica was brought up in.

“ It takes hard work (to achieve) whatever you want to pursue in life, and I am proud of (graduating with a) Diploma in Electrical Engineering and receiving the top prize award for Mathematics.”

“I was eight years old when we moved to the Moem Barracks in Wewak.”
She attended the Moniel Primary School in Wewak for her early childhood education – completing grades three, four and five there.
She then moved to the Moem Primary School where she completed grades six, seven and eight, before attending the Mercy Secondary School.
“I was in Mercy Secondary School for four years. I did grades nine to 12 there. I completed my Grade 12 in 2019 and was selected to take up electrical engineering at the Port Moresby Technical College.”
In 2020, she flew to Port Moresby and registered as a boarding student at the college. She was at the college when she became pregnant.
But she still managed to complete the programme and graduate.
She sees herself as a hard worker who takes up challenges head-on, no matter how big or hard they may seem.
Her advice to others is to have self-confidence and a positive mental attitude always.
“In whatever challenges life brings, take them head-on. Do not look down on yourself.”
She reckons it is one of the keys to her success.
Her parents could not make it to her graduation last fortnight mainly because of the expensive travelling cost.
But she thanks them for their support and guidance in her academic pursuits and life.
Shemica also thanks God for blessing and guiding her, and not forgetting her class mates and teachers for assisting her achieve her goal.
“They are the reasons for my success.”