Vireak Punhakrith Tan (Academic Year 2024-2025) – Stressful, memorable, bittersweet.
Favorite Quote: “The only way you can guarantee failure is if you don’t try.”
An interesting fact about Punhakrith is that he’s a very outgoing and active person who enjoys playing sports, interacting with others, and meeting new people. His favorite subjects at AUPPHS-FA are P.E., Microeconomics, and Macroeconomics. He loves P.E. because he’s good at sports and enjoys physical activities. As for economics, he finds the way the economy works and operates truly fascinating, which is why he enjoys both micro and macroeconomics.
He found the Research Capstone Project to be the most challenging, as it required him to go out and gather his own data for the paper—a process that pushed him out of his comfort zone. He feels that Calculus, Microeconomics, and Macroeconomics have prepared him best for his future path, as these subjects are closely tied to his academic and career goals.
Punhakrith has been actively involved in many extracurricular activities. He is the captain of the AUPPHS-FA football club and a former vice president of the Chess Club. He’s also participated in various charity events, including charity runs and food and clothing donations.
One of his favorite memories at AUPPHS-FA was back in Grade 10, when life was carefree and the future felt far away. Every afternoon, he and his friends would have lunch under the tree beside the pond at school, chatting and playing around. Those were fun and unforgettable moments that he’ll always hold close to his heart.
After graduation, he plans to pursue his studies abroad.
The most important lesson he’s learned at AUPPHS-FA—and what he wants to pass on to his juniors—is: “Never be comfortable and stuck to a single place, stay out of your comfort zone and try new things, life is all about experimenting. Do what you want to do and never takes other people word too serious; there will always and always will be people who will criticize you no matter what. Lastly, enjoy your Highschool year. We only get to experience our Highschool life once, so make sure to cherish the times you had with your friends and teachers and makes it a memorable and unforgettable memories of your life.”