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Lost his father to Covid-19: LGS top scorer dreams of studying medicine

Arda Köker, the son of a healthcare worker who passed away from coronavirus in the İskenderun district of Hatay, managed to achieve a perfect score by answering all questions correctly in the LGS. Now, the LGS top scorer Köker dreams of studying medicine to heal people.

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The results of the High School Transition System (LGS) held on June 2 were announced by the Ministry of National Education. Across the country, 352 candidates managed to enter the 0.01 percent bracket by answering all questions correctly. 14-year-old Arda Köker, who lives in the İskenderun district of Hatay, also answered all questions correctly in the LGS. Arda, who lost his father Atılım Köker, a healthcare worker, to Covid-19 in 2021, gave his mother Pınar Sağır Köker, who never spared her support, an unforgettable moment of happiness. Arda, a student at Mehmet Akif Ersoy Secondary School, now dreams of continuing his education at Galatasaray High School.

“MY DREAM IS TO STUDY MEDICINE”

14-year-old Arda Köker, the 2024 LGS Turkey top scorer, stated that his dream is to study medicine, saying, “I feel very happy; perhaps a few months ago, I would have struggled even thinking about this. Being the top scorer in Turkey feels like it wasn't that hard after achieving it, but I am aware that it is a difficult thing. I owe this to studying regularly, carefully, and correctly. I would wake up in the morning and read books in the time until breakfast to clear my head and pass the time. I think it was harder than 2023 but easier than other years. Those who sacrifice for themselves win. I have an Android phone and I had it throughout the exam period, but I reduced its usage significantly; I can even say I didn't use it at all for a long time. After all, I carried it with me in case my family worried about me while they were out. When I got this result, I felt very happy, and my family saw the exam result and said, 'Arda, you are the top scorer in Turkey, you finally finished it, you succeeded.' For a moment, I felt very happy. I don't want to stay in İskenderun; I want to go out of the city. I would like to choose Galatasaray High School in Istanbul. My dream is to study medicine.”

“THIS IS THE BEST GIFT A MOTHER CAN RECEIVE”

Mother Pınar Sağır Köker stated that her husband passed away from Covid-19 and that her child gave her an unforgettable happiness, saying, “My husband was a healthcare worker and passed away due to Covid. He was on duty in Afrin at that time. The responsibility of this is a bit more. He also has an older sibling; of course, there are difficulties with two children. As a mother, I prepared a study environment for him, of course, but the main responsibility was his. As I said, as a mother, I prepared the environment for whatever needed to be done in every way. There is no description for this; it absolutely must be experienced. This is the best gift a mother can receive. First of all, I thank him for giving me this pride. I am proud of my son; health to his efforts and his heart. All of his teachers have contributed; of course, this is a team effort, but first and foremost, he always had dreams, he walked on that path, and as a mother, I have always supported him and will continue to do so.”