Meeting My Mentor
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in the category Estudyante Blues
Last October, we had the privilege of having the author of the best-selling book, Heroic Leadership speak to our students at the third General Assembly. Mr. Chris Lowney shared with over 200 students his insights on how to become a great leader today.
His visit, however, was more important to one student. Glaysa Solasco, a senior at the University of the Philippines Baguio, was going to meet one of the people who have helped her get to where she is now. Although they’ve never met, Chris Lowney has been supporting Glaysa since she started her freshman year in 2005.
We asked Glaysa some of her thoughts on this first encounter…
Pathways: What was your initial feeling in finally meeting Mr. Lowney?
Glaysa: I’m happy because finally I was able to reconcile a face with the person I’m sending emails to. At first, it was a bit awkward. I really didn’t know how to start the conversation. When we started talking, everything seemed to go pretty well.
P: What were some of the things that you talked about?
G: I was able to learn a lot about his various engagements, like him helping a school in Africa, and some details about his life as a writer. He also asked about my life, my academics and my family. Somehow, it was nice because the entire exchange made him seem more human to me. It helped me appreciate him even more.
P: Did he have any words of advice for you?
G: I realized that there are various means to live one’s life, and one of them is going outside your routine to extend a hand to those who need it the most. He was also very insightful; there was this instance that I told him some of the hardships in school, like the rumor mongering and other issues. He said that for one, it’s normal. But most importantly I should realize that I have something more than those people, and in the end he motivated me to not stop at this point.
P: Any thing else you would like to add?
G: In essence, what struck me, meeting Mr. Lowney was the fact that I was face to face with the person who made a huge contribution in me going to and STAYING in college. At that point, it made perfect sense to just be thankful and appreciate this blessing that is truly life changing.
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Glaysa is a senior at UP Baguio will be graduating with a degree in AB Mass Communications this March. She is a member of the UP BAguio Debate Society, and has represented her team in various debates nationwide. Glaysa was recently awarded Best Debater on Square Off, a debate program on ANC last November… Watch her next debate on Square Off on ANC on January 28, 2009 at 8.00pm.
Good luck, Glaysa! We’re rooting for you!
