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 known as Pasukan Pengibar Bendera Pusaka (Paskibraka) at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta with President Prabowo Subianto. Franciscus Sakfiris Pahabolisage, representing Papua Pegunungan Province, and Stincek Laramiapa, representing Papua Tengah Province, were selected for this prestigious role. Franciscus mentioned how grateful he felt for the opportunity to be a part of this event, something he previously only watched on TV or his phone. He also expressed his excitement and pride at meeting the President in person. Stincek, on the other hand, shared her commitment to deliver her best performance during the flag-raising ceremony. Despite initial doubts about reaching the national level, she was thrilled to be part of the Paskibraka team and to have bonded with fellow members from all 38 provinces. Both students reflected on the rigorous selection process, physical training, and the camaraderie they developed with their team members. As the big day approached, Stincek admitted feeling nervous yet excited about the upcoming performance in front of the President and the nation. However, the joy of earning this opportunity through their hard work overshadowed any apprehensions they may have had.
