In a remarkable achievement that has brought pride to Cambodia, 11-year-old Kheangsophany P. Spring secured second place as Global Champion at the prestigious TeenEagle Global Round in the UK.

Competing against more than 300 international students from over 10 countries, Spring’s outstanding performance earned her three trophies and two gold medals, firmly establishing her as one of the top contenders in the competition.

While Spring achieved an impressive spot on the winner’s list, first place was claimed by Ayla Garakhanli from Azerbaijan, with Mahvendra Nava Murali from Malaysia securing third place.

The competition, held over two days from August 5-6, challenged students in various disciplines, including knowledge quizzes, spelling bees, writing challenges and persuasive speaking.

“It is an honour for me and my Cambodian friends to represent our country and show the positive aspects of Cambodia,” Spring, from DK Schoolhouse, said as she shared her excitement.

“My family has always adored me, stood by my side and supported my views. I was thrilled when I received second place as Global Champion, along with three trophies and two gold medals,” said Spring, who is now moving on to Grade 7 this year.

Spring expressed her admiration for the kind people she met at TeenEagle, highlighting how her friendships with both Cambodian and international students strengthened her trust in others.

She appreciated her teachers, describing them as lovely, and shared that she often liked her classes.

Spring also found the programme to be highly enjoyable, especially recalling a memorable experience where they visited a place that celebrated diverse cultures.

When asked how her friends and teachers reacted to her success, Spring shared that they were thrilled, with supportive comments like "I knew you could do this" and "nothing can stand in your way", which made her very happy.

Spring's mother, Sao Sophany, expressed immense pride in her daughter's accomplishments, praising not only her awards but also her effort.

“As a mother, I feel thrilled, delighted, proud, energised and overjoyed for her. My pride as a mother isn’t in my own achievements but in witnessing the success, kindness, strength and wisdom of my child at the TeenEagle Global Round in the UK,” Sophany told The Post.

Sophany said that seeing her daughter represent Cambodia on an international stage filled her with optimism, as it showcased the talent, hard work, discipline, and dedication of Cambodian students.

Hak Sofy, corporate partnership manager at Bright Education Consultant and Travel, who organised the event, praised the achievements of Cambodian students at the competition.

“Cambodian students have achieved remarkable success: one Global Champion trophy, 13 other trophies, nine gold medals, 11 silver and three bronze medals,” said Sofy.

He added that these accomplishments reflect the talent and dedication of Cambodian students, who have the potential to shine on the global stage.

The participating students came from both public and private schools. For the TeenEagle competition, the selection process involved two stages: a local round and a global round.

“First, over 600 students from public and private schools participated in an online exam,” said Sofy. “Those who passed had the opportunity to compete in the UK and the US.”

This year's competition also highlighted global issues, encouraging young participants to think critically about the world around them and take action on important topics.

Overcoming challenges

Spring's journey to success was not without its challenges. She spoke candidly about the difficulties she faced, including moments of doubt when studying for the competition.

“There were many difficult challenges that I experienced, such as when I looked at the book and was ready to give up, but I recognised what is incredible within me, and I kept on conquering my doubts,” Spring told The Post.

She noted that the competition was filled with numerous highly educated contestants and various obstacles.

She acknowledged that despite the challenges, the atmosphere was incredibly pleasant, and the participants shared a camaraderie that felt almost like a family.

As a mother, Sophany highlighted the challenges they faced in preparing, particularly with the time difference and access to resources.

She mentioned that they were thoroughly prepared for the questions and answers, with her daughter diligently learning and memorising vocabulary, practicing writing on various topics and rehearsing her persuasive speaking until she felt confident and ready to join the competition.

Spring's determination, combined with her mother's unwavering support, ensured her success.

Sophany emphasised the importance of encouraging her daughter to balance competition with other activities she enjoys, such as exercise, spending time with friends or being with family.

She believed that maintaining this balance would help her daughter stay happy and healthy while preparing for the competition without feeling overwhelmed.

“I always focus on the process, not the end goal,” she noted, adding that with her support, her daughter could succeed while still enjoying her childhood.

A future ahead

The success at the TeenEagle Global Round has laid a strong foundation for Spring's future. She is determined to continue excelling in her studies, aiming to achieve even greater heights.

“I have a strategy to earn good grades at school, so I will read more books, try new exercises and listen to videos on the subjects,” Spring said.

Her mother believes that this achievement will have a lasting impact on her daughter's future and inspire other Cambodian children.

“Spring will share what she has learned and experienced with other Cambodian children to support learning and educational development. She will seek out more appropriate tools and procedures to prepare for future competitions,” said Sophany.

She added that Spring will be well-prepared for the coming academic year, equipped with new strategies and experiences.

Sophany is confident that more children will join the competition and bring hope and honour to their country and families after learning this news from The Phnom Penh Post.

She emphasised that parents play a crucial role in their children's participation, as they provide both tangible and emotional support throughout international competitions.

“As Spring’s mother, I believe it's essential to be involved in my daughter's competitions and education because parental involvement offers numerous benefits,” she said.

Sophany noted that key benefits include improving children's motivation to compete, boosting their confidence and fostering their knowledge and success.

However, she acknowledged the importance of parents maintaining perspective to ensure that competitiveness remains healthy and does not place excessive pressure on the child.

In 2023, 37 Cambodian students out of 427 total contestants achieved successes at the TeenEagle competition held in the UK from July 30 to August 6.

They returned home proudly with 11 gold, 17 silver and 24 bronze medals, showcasing their strong performance on the international stage.

The previous year, 2022, saw an even larger group of 80 Cambodian students competing against 416 contestants from 21 countries.

The Cambodian team demonstrated exceptional skill, bringing home an impressive haul of 11 gold, 19 silver, 18 bronze and 27 honourary medals.