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Here is an article about the Bangkok Post Student of the Year for 1997.

• Receiving the 'National Outstanding Student' award selected by the Office of the National Youth Commission and awarded by HRH Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn
  
• Winning the first prize in a mathematics competition
  
• Winning the first prize in a science competition
  
• Winning the first prize in an essay writing competition
  
• Winning the first prize in a fruit carving competition
  
• Gold medallist in walking marathons and running marathons
  
• Winning the first prize in a computer competition
  
• Winning the first prize in a Dhamma quiz competition
  
• Having a great flair for Thai and Western music, especially the khim and keyboard.

Don't be shocked if I tell you that these are just some of the heaps of prizes and awards that Tanatpim Supapornpradub, our 15-year-old 1997 Bangkok Post Student Weekly Student of the Year, has received since primary school.

That's why she was selected from the thousands of students at her school to be the Kamphaeng Phet Pittayakom School's candidate to join our fabulous annual contest. And now she has been selected as the 'Best of the Best' from over 100 candidates from all regions of Thailand.

'I do love doing activities,' she said, beaming impressively. 'And every time I do activities, I try my best. Thus every prize I get, I'm very proud. I don't have any special prize because I got them all from doing my best.'

'My parents always told me that I should do lots of different activities because it would allow me to gain valuable experience. Those who only concentrate on study cannot be as successful as those who study and also do activities.'

'Activities give you many advantages, for example, experience and new friends, and it teaches us how to get along with others.'

'Even by joining this contest I've gained many good memories, experiences and new friends who are all nice,' she said.

As well as being good at activities, her study is also excellent. She has a GPA of 4.00.

This confirms that it will not be difficult for her to reach her goal of one day becoming a doctor.

'I would like to be a doctor who works in a suburb or province because there are not enough doctors to meet patient demand in those places. Hospitals in the suburbs usually do not have enough doctors. When upcountry people get ill, they dare not go to a city hospital because they're afraid that they won't be able to afford it. If I can be a doctor, I will help these people get a better standard of living,' she said with determination.

Tanatpim's sympathy, optimism and success are due to the loving care and warmth generated in her family. Her parents revealed the secret in bringing up their only daughter to be as talented as she is; they love to do activities together, such as jogging in the morning or reading books. On the evening of the Student of the Year ceremony, they came all the way from Kamphaeng Phet with their daughter so that they could give her encouragement.

'We were very glad and excited when Acharn Chainarong announced the result. We didn't expect the winner to be our daughter.

'We believe that the winning prize, the trip to England in April, will provide her with many good experiences. We're probably not going to worry about her that much when she leaves because we know that going abroad has been an expectation of hers for a long time and we're sure she can take care of herself. She is quite responsible. We're really proud of her,' her mother rejoiced after the winner of the contest had been announced.

Although Tanatpim still has a long way to go to fulfil her dream, we're sure that with her confidence, optimism and generosity, she will certainly grow up to be a citizen who dedicates herself to the improvement of society as a qualified doctor.

Tasks List three similarities and three differences between your school life and that of Tanatpim Supapornpradub. What values does this report promote? Look at the structure of the article. Use the following headings to divide it into sections: Achievements, Attitudes, Aims, Support, Future. Interview and be interviewed by a classmate, using the headings to formulate your questions. Write up a report of your interviewee for publication in a student newspaper. List three other questions you might ask to find out more information about your interviewee. Think again about the article on Tanatpim Supapornpradub. Do you think this is a good article? Explain your reasons.

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