Minahasa Schoolgirl advances to OSN 2026 semifinals

Junivia Valencia Tulung, a student at SRMA 44 Minahasa in North Sulawesi, advanced to the Biology semifinals of the 2026 Olimpiade Sains Nasional. The 17-year-old, known as Juni, qualified after the provincial selection and is now the only representative from her school to remain in the competition. According to the school, the national Biology semifinal includes 100 participants. SRMA 44 Minahasa head Jefta Johannes Makikui said the result shows that Sekolah Rakyat students can compete in academic contests. Junivia is from Kauneran village, Sonder district, Minahasa regency. Her father, Toar Harly Tulung, farms mujair fish and earns about Rp1,5 juta a month. She initially hesitated to enter the dormitory, but later said the school environment helped her study and eased her family’s financial burden.