A scholar's spirit
Posted by: Julie Ann Manguerra
in the category This Week In Education
This speech was delivered by Julie Ann Manguerra (FEU, BS Nursing), Pathways’ first participant to graduate Cum Laude, during the Anniversary Celebration last April 20 at the Henry Lee Irwin Theatre. Julie is a proud alumna of Parang High School in Marikina City.
To all the Pathways staff, donors, distinguished guests, parents, co-scholars, ladies and gentlemen…good evening.
When Ate Solvie asked me to prepare a thank you speech, I immediately said yes because I believed that it would be a great opportunity for me to personally thank the people who helped me go to college and eventually finish it.
First and foremost, I want to thank the Alay Ni Ignacio Program for giving me the advance classes in the major subjects that I had during my high school days. ANI helped me to have a strong foundation by teaching us the basics of our subjects. They also molded me to become a good person through our Christian Living subject. I believe that the ANI Program served as God’s instrument for me to experience one of the major turning points of my life and that was when I met Kuya Harvey and Ate April. They gathered the graduating students and conducted a meeting to give us information on how we will be able to go into college. That was the time when Pathways to Higher Education Program came into my life. I passed all the requirements and attended the interview with my mother. Luckily, I was chosen to become one of Pathways’ participants.
Actually, I never thought that I could study and finish college in a prestigious university like Far Eastern University because my family could not send me to that kind of school. That was my perception until Pathways came. A lot of doors opened when I became a Pathways participant. To cite a few examples, I had a chance to develop myself by attending the personality development workshop and leadership training that Pathways conducted. Pathways developed not just our minds but also our hearts. I also had a chance to attend free review sessions about test taking tips to prepare us to take the college entrance tests. Pathways convinced partner universities to waive their entrance examination fees for us. Then by the time we were admitted in
the college or university of our choice, they helped us win a scholarship, to pay all the tuition and miscellaneous fees, to buy the books we need, and to buy our school uniforms. They also
found kind-hearted donors who helped us with our financial needs in school. Pathways almost provided everything we needed.
I agree with Kuya Harvey’s favorite personal quote. He always says that to whom much is given, much is expected. That is the reason why I make sure that every centavo that Pathways spend for my schooling gets its worth.
In behalf of all the Pathways participants, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the donors and to all the people who supports Pathways in sending deserving students to college. I want to thank Ate Vicky Unson for all the encouragement and support she gave me. She is my sponsor and I know that she’s happy because I graduated with honors. What I am right now, I owe to her, Pathways, and FEU. May all the donors continue to help Pathways’ participants and their families fulfill their dreams.
Also, we are thankful to the colleges and universities who accepted us and who gave us scholarships. It is truly a great help for every Pathways scholar. I believe that I will not be able to have a degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing and I will not be able to graduate cum laude if Pathways, my family, and God were not on my side.
Last but not the least, I want to thank all the Pathways staff for everything that you’ve done and will do for the participants. Rest assured that every Pathways scholar will make a difference for this country. Let us hope for that best and pray for each other. Again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you very, very much. God bless us all.
