WILLEMSTAD – Ania Rincon Centeno, a 13-year-old student originally from Venezuela, has earned the highest score on Curaçao’s 2025 National Primary Education Final Exam (EFO). A student at Fundeshi Emmy Berthold, Ania was honored on Monday by Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Sithree van Heydoorn, during a celebratory ceremony held at her school. 

Delivering her speech in Dutch, Ania emphasized that her educational journey was not just about academic achievements, but also about personal growth and learning important life values. 

“I didn’t just learn language and mathematics,” she said. “I reflected on the knowledge that stays with you for life, and I focused especially on values like gratitude, respect, and family. These are part of who I am and have helped me reach this goal.” 

Ania expressed her deep gratitude to God, her family for their love and support, her classmates for welcoming her, her teachers for their guidance, and her school Fundeshi Emmy Berthold for the nurturing environment. 

She closed her heartfelt speech with an inspirational message to her peers: 

“Don’t be afraid to start something new, and don’t be afraid to fail. Keep going, never give up. God has a perfect plan for each one of us.” 

Ania’s achievement is being celebrated as a source of pride not only for her school and family but also for the wider community, highlighting the importance of perseverance, inclusion, and the power of education to transform lives.