Two high school students from Papua, Franciscus Sakfiris Pahabolisage and Stincek Laramiapa, had the honor of participating in Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day celebrations as members of the prestigious Pasukan Pengibar Bendera Pusaka (Paskibraka) at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, alongside President Prabowo Subianto. Franciscus, representing Papua Pegunungan Province, and a student at SMA Negeri 1 Wamena, expressed his gratitude and excitement for the opportunity to be part of the ceremony, which he had previously only watched on TV or on his phone. He thanked the President for selecting them and shared his experiences during the rigorous selection process and physical training.
Stincek, representing Papua Tengah Province from SMA Negeri 1 Nabire, conveyed her commitment to giving her best performance during the flag-raising ceremony. She expressed her determination to make the nation proud and build camaraderie with her fellow Paskibraka members from all 38 provinces. Despite feeling nervous about the upcoming performance on August 17, Stincek emphasized her excitement and joy in meeting the President in person. She highlighted the importance of teamwork, unity, and understanding among the team members to achieve a successful and memorable experience.
