Student of the Year 2011

by: Terranya Tiamson

“I wasn’t a perfect student, though people might expect me to be because of STI’s high standards when it comes to quality and integrity. The award I’ve received may be extraordinary but as a person, I’m a regular student who knows how it feels to have academic ups and downs, mess up a bit, lose motivation, get low grades, and chase instructors to sign completion forms. But though I know I’m far from perfect, I’m grateful to have trusted people who helped me get back on right track”, Jemima R. Velado, Student of the Year Award 2011.

She was awarded 2nd runner-up in Stand Up and Deliver National level for two years in a row, Jemima is a pride to STI College Balayan, a Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Computer Education (BSEd ) graduate who have shown excellence not only in her studies but also in performing her duties in different organizations in and outside the campus. Academically, aside from her excellent grades, she represented STI College Balayan in “Tagisan ng Talino” for the Stand Up and Deliver category during the cluster competition for four consecutive years since her freshmen in 2009. From there she represented the cluster in the national competition for the same category twice and placed 2nd respectively.

Balancing her academic achievements were the different activities she dynamically participated in the campus. She has been a performing secretary and councilor of the “Council of Leaders”, the student government of STI College Balayan responsible for pioneering and organizing activities for the students. She also served as treasurer before being elected president of the “The Young Educators”, the professional organization for the BSEd students that organizes activities for its members especially when they need to participate during campus events. She was also an athlete playing table tennis and scrabble for the “Stingray”, varsity team until she became its coordinator.

Influenced by her family specially her father who is a pastor, she never neglects her duty as a Christian. She enthusiastically participates in the different programs of the “Good News to the Nations Outreach” group which aims to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to all the nations of the earth. She is the group’s responsible “cell group leader” and president since 2008. She also works as a Sunday school teacher, teaching children and teenagers for them to uplift their moral values. She also works as the church’s music assistant coordinator. She said that above all, this should be a priority and these church activities give her an unexplainable feeling of fulfillment.

Finally, she confessed that this award was her ultimate goal upon seeing Norman Caraig’s picture on STImuli honored as Student of the Year 2006 who also was from STI College Balayan. “I’ll be just like him years from now”, that declaration, done with faith fueled her. She firmly believes that anything conceived whole-heartedly will be granted if you hold on to it till the very end.

>>Reporter: Jemima Velado