As Kilakila Secondary School turns 60 this year, much of its history risks being forgotten but marking this milestone, the current head boy, Ryan Nongi, has taken it upon himself and the Student Council to preserve the school’s story in line with the anniversary theme “Discovering the History of Kilakila Secondary School”. Speaking to PNG HAUSBUNG, Nongi said he has devoted his time not only to school activities but also to compiling a book that documents school's past, including the struggles and triumphs that shaped it. The idea was born out of loss. In 2023, a fire destroyed the administration building, wiping out vital school records and historical documents. Determined not to let the school’s legacy disappear, Nongi and the SRC reached out to alumni and past students to recover pieces of history from the 1960s to the present day. Among their discoveries was that Sir Ted Diro, Papua New Guinea’s first Defense Force Commander, studied at Kilakila in the early 1960s. But not all chapters of Kilakila’s history are easy ones, while during the late 2000s and early 2010s, the school became associated with a cult group known as MOK (Members of Kila), which pressured male Grade 9 students to join. The practice, which damaged the school’s reputation, was brought to an end in 2019 through peace-building initiatives led by alumni, staff, and student leaders including then Deputy Student Service Leader Ms. Pala Balun and Head Boy Kenneth Leman. In more recent years, Kilakila has produced emerging talents such as rap artist DeSiz (Tim Masil) and rugby league players Justin Aisop Mol of the Vipers Academy and the PNG NRL Bid Academy. The history book also records the names of principals, head boys, and head girls from the 1980s to today and for Nongi, this project is about legacy. “I don’t see this anniversary as just another event,” he said. “It’s about contributing back to the school. Leadership is not about the title you carry but how you serve, and what you leave for those who come after you.” Hours of research, interviews, and cross-checking have gone into the project, which Nongi hopes will capture the resilience of a school community that has endured fires, stigma, and challenges, yet continues to stand tall. “Respect is a two-way thing. You must give it to earn it and even when others don’t give it back, as a leader you must still show respect,” Nongi said. As Kilakila Secondary reflects on six decades of growth, struggle, and achievement, its current head boy has set down a marker for future generations as leadership is not measured in status, but in service.