Belmont student Asher Homes-Isaiah pushes through dad’s death to complete VCE

A Belmont High School student sat one of his final exams on the day his dad died. This is why.

VCE student Asher Homes-Isaiah sat one of his final exams on the day his dad died. Picture: Mark Wilson

On the day his father died, Asher Homes-Isaiah sat his last year 12 exam.

The Belmont High School student’s dad, Stanley, lost his battle with cancer on the morning of November 8.

Mr Homes-Isaiah said he was in the middle of a week-long exam schedule, knowing each time he left the house it could have been the last time he saw his dad.

On the morning of his chemistry exam, it happened.

Mr Homes-Isaiah said he cried over the loss, but got up the strength to have breakfast and head to the exam as that’s what his dad wanted.

Asher Homes-Isaiah said he completed his exam on the day of his dad’s death because it’s what his dad wanted. Picture: Mark Wilson

“I drove to school, and sat down outside before the exam and tried not to think about it,” he said.

“(The exam) was something I was motivated to do, and my dad wanted me to do.

“He always said ‘if I drop dead, plough through and try your best’.

“The multiple choice was first, and I was glad for that.

“I couldn’t really think much through it.

“When I got to the extended response, it was easier to get through.

“I like chemistry, so I could think a bit more about it, and not my dad.”

Mr Homes-Isaiah said a month on from his dad’s death, he still thinks about him throughout each day.

He said having his parents’ and teachers’ support throughout the year, and especially over the exam period as his dad’s health declined, was crucial.

“(My teachers) helped me submit the stuff to get a derived estimated score,” he said.

“I got it for most things. I hopefully won’t need it but it’s nice to have it as a back-up.

“It was really good to have someone who supported me through the school process.

“It’s really easy for people to give up on it, so it was good for me to have my dad … and mum through it.”

Mr Homes-Isaiah said his father really wanted him to go to university and would encourage him to look forward to it.

He said he was hoping to become a doctor.

“I feel like it’s something I could wake up every day and want to do,” Mr Homes-Isaiah said.

“Most other jobs I might get up and wonder … ‘why this again?’.

“I feel like I’d never do that as a doctor … like the saying that you never work a day in your life if you do something you love.”

Originally published as Belmont student Asher Homes-Isaiah pushes through dad’s death to complete VCE