MOSSEL BAY NEWS - It was a year filled with hope for Garden Route High School matriculant Melissa Jacobs - until her older brother died during her final exams late last year.

Jacobs said the year had started out great, but then her brother, Gregory Claassen (38), died unexpectedly from a bleeding on his brain on 25 October.

"It was so difficult. I felt like nothing was worth it anymore. He and I were so close. He was my favourite person in the world," she said.

However, a few days after the devastating news, Jacobs said she decided to write her exams for her brother and used him as inspiration, especially when it came to writing her English and Afrikaans essays.

She said looking back on 2025, she is thankful that her brother had made it to her matric farewell. "I know he would be so proud of me," she said.

Jacobs plans to pursue further studies to become a social worker, and once these are completed, she would like to go on to be a flight attendant.

Gregory Claassen at his sister, Melissa Jacobs' matric farewell last year. Photo: Supplied

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’