Alliance Merci Arengerwe was announced on Monday, September 1, as the best performer in Advanced Level National Examinations in the General Education category. The second-born in a family of six did Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) at Cornerstone Leadership Academy in Rwamagana District.

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In the national exams, the 18-year-old, who comes from Gihondwe Sector, Rusizi District, scored 96.06 per cent. He got 91.9 per cent in Physics, 92.8 per cent in Biology, and 100 per cent in Chemistry, which are core subjects.

He also excelled in subsidiary subjects, with 100 per cent in Mathematics, 98 per cent in General Studies and Communication Skills, 97 per cent in English, and 96 per cent in Entrepreneurship.

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Arengerwe&039;s next journey

Although he has not yet decided on a specific course at university, Arengerwe hopes to study biology and technology.

"I am still trying to understand different things and identify what I really want to pursue at university,” he explained in a phone interview with The New Times. "But I would wish to study science combined with technology, fields like biochemical engineering, biotechnology, and related fields.”

He is one of the 106,079 candidates who registered for the 2024–2025 national examinations, of which 94,409 passed, marking a national pass rate of 89.1 per cent or a 10.5 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

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'Always intended to be among the top"

Arengerwe’s good academic performance is not new and he has always ranked high in national exams since primary. In Primary Leaving Examinations, he ranked 29th at the national level, and in Ordinary Level, he finished fifth.

His education began at Baptiste Nursery and Primary School (now Young Doctors Academy) in Kamembe town, Rusizi, before he moved to Childcare Academy. From there, he joined Ecole des Sciences Byimana and later secured a scholarship at Cornerstone Leadership Academy.

"I always intended to be among the top performers,” he said. "But after finishing the exams, especially in subjects where I knew I had not done my best, I doubted I would reach my target.”

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When the results were announced, Arengerwe was not present at the official ceremony, his family could not be reached in time. Instead, he followed the announcement virtually.

"I was in a public car, coming back from Isomo bootcamp, when I heard my name,” he recalled. "I unconsciously screamed, saying ‘this cannot be true.’ People stared at me, so I calmed down, but deep inside, I was overwhelmed.”

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Support systems

Arengerwe attributes his success to hard work and the support of his parents, teachers, Cornerstone Academy, and the Isomo initiative, an education programme that enhances literacy, critical thinking, and university access through summer boot camps and in-school learning circles.

"Cornerstone is not just a school, it is a family,” he explained. "Teachers dedicate their time to finalists with challenging assignments, and even some students from lower classes sometimes stay at school during holidays to support candidate students with daily activities so they can focus on studies.”

He also spoke about the Isomo programme and its benefits for the participants.

"They train you to grow mentally, improve communication and speaking skills, and prepare you for real-life opportunities,” said Arengerwe. "I joined in Senior Four, and it has really changed my life, improving my proficiency in English, confidence, and openness to opportunities.”

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Arengerwe enjoys reading books, creating audiovisual content, and playing football and basketball. He said he likes to pray and help fellow students who struggle with lessons. For him, success is about more than grades.

"I would like to emphasize to people who have adopted the mindset that the best performance in school and attaining good results is not necessarily the most important thing to grant you a good future that it is an unfair judgement,” he said.

"Because while attaining the best grades may not take you to the highest stage, attaining low grades also reduces your chances of reaching some stages. You should study with the target of achieving the best of your best.”

He also cautioned high achievers against neglecting other aspects of life.

"Success in one part of life cannot compensate for losses in other parts. If you don’t have balance, you are lost. Some people ignore other dimensions of life, but balance is necessary. Having high marks in class does not guarantee a good life unless you know how to balance it with everything else.”

Arengerwe believes that everyone has untapped capabilities waiting to be discovered. "There is always hidden potential in each of us,” he said. "When you invest time in discovering and understanding yourself better, you uncover that potential and build the person you want to become.”

A mother’s wish

His mother, Christine Uwamurengeye, described him as a curious and hardworking child.

"Since his childhood, he has always wanted to take on challenges," Uwamurengeye told The New Times. "At around 11 years old, he was already participating in Itetero quiz competitions on the radio, and even won some awards. He won telephones twice in different competitions between primary five and senior two.”

Her wish is for her son to pursue a special and impactful career, possibly in medicine.

At home, Arengerwe has simple tastes. His favorite meal is pumpkin, which he loves because "it is natural, can be eaten with vegetables, and tastes sweet even without frying.” For drinks, he prefers fresh juice over soft drinks.