Aceh Tamiang student overcomes disaster to qualify for national flag-hoisting squad

A student from SMA Negeri 2 Percontohan Karang Baru in Aceh Tamiang, Zilqueensa Abintary Laudicia Simatupang, has been selected for the 2026 national Paskibraka flag-hoisting team. She achieved this despite her home being affected by a hydrometeorological disaster. “Alhamdulillah, I ranked first at the Aceh level and continued to the national level. After passing all the tests, I was declared to have passed representing Aceh at the national level,” Queen said in Banda Aceh on Tuesday. Queen, as she is known, passed the national Paskibraka selection after going through the regional selection stages. She represents Aceh alongside another student, M. Hibban Annapis from SMA Modal Bangsa Aceh Besar. Queen explained that her graduation came after she achieved first place in both academic and physical tests from the district to the provincial level, and finally passed the national test. “I was declared to have passed after ranking first in the district selection and also first in the province,” she said. She recounted that during the flood disaster at the end of 2025, her house was submerged in up to four metres of water and filled with mud. Her parents’ laundry business was also affected by the disaster. Afterwards, her enthusiasm for pursuing her dream of becoming a Paskibraka member dimmed due to the disaster, as conditions in her area were paralysed and school activities were inactive for two months. “But when conditions began to recover, my spirit returned. I thought, I cannot let a disaster make my spirit fall, I cannot stop here. That is where I resolved to keep moving forward,” she said. Queen also confirmed that she is fully prepared, both mentally and physically, to serve as a national Paskibraka member at the 81st Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia ceremony. “I am very ready, mentally and physically, to undergo Paskibraka at the central level,” Queen asserted. Meanwhile, the Head of the Aceh Tamiang National Unity and Politics Agency, Agusliana Devita, stated that the Paskibraka selection in Aceh Tamiang was carried out starting in February 2026, when conditions were still not conducive. The selection process utilised the office complex roads because the fields, including sports facilities, could not be used as they were still occupied by refugees. “Alhamdulillah, even though Aceh Tamiang was in a concerning condition, it did not dampen the children’s enthusiasm to participate in the selection, and 300 children registered for the selection,” she said. Agusliana noted that the students’ enthusiasm for participating in the Paskibraka selection was very high. Despite the ongoing state of emergency, the process ran smoothly, resulting in a representative being sent to the national level. Moreover, the Aceh Tamiang representative managed to achieve first place at the provincial level. “This is an achievement for Aceh Tamiang since the district was established. It is extraordinary that when Aceh Tamiang was not in a good condition, it could produce an outstanding child amidst limitations. We are very proud,” Agusliana concluded.