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Friday, March 31, 2006
Dreaming big, reaching far: A CCSP scholar story
NOTHING beats the feeling of fulfillment and triumph than a hardworking student who will receive a college diploma this month.
This is exactly what Eunice Densing felt. As she marches her way to graduation after four years of combined hardships, joy, happiness and sadness, Eunice, 20 years old and a beneficiary of the City College Scholarship Program, has never felt this proud.
A Bachelor of Science in Accountancy student, Eunice not only finished her college studies like the rest. As she graduates from her studies on April 1, 2006, she will also receive a Certificate of Highest Distinction at the Cagayan de Oro College.
A second child in a brood of seven, Nice could have been among the thousands of under-educated youth because of poverty. But because of the City College Scholarship Program, she tried her luck in the hope of fulfilling her dreams.
Among the hundred aspirants in Barangay Kauswagan four years ago for the said program, she never expected to get a call from the Community Improvement Division (CID) -- the secretariat of the program -- that she was accepted.
"I was frustrated already by that time because enrollment was going on and when I learned that I was accepted I was very happy that I could finally start my way to fulfill my dreams," recalled Nice who sees herself working with the government in order to repay its goodness to her.
As a scholar, Nice said that its not that easy since she has to cope with the pressure of maintaining a passing grade and that her family has limited financial resources.
But despite the sleepless nights of meeting her requirements in school, she was able to excel in her class as she was an officer of the Student Body Organization and the Supreme Student Council for three years and the president of all the city scholars, which they call Kaalam.
Looking back, she has no regrets of being a product of a financially incapacitated family because it was the same poverty that challenged her to build a strong character and become a better person.
Now that she has finally overcome it all, she has mixed emotions in facing the world alone, "I have my own shares of disappointment and success but above all I have conquered them all and I believe I'm ready to face the new challenges ahead."
After graduation, Nice plans to take a review for the board exam for accountancy, which will be held in October, this year.
Nice, who is among the 22 scholars who will graduate this school yea, is ever grateful to the CCSP for serving as a refuge for financially challenged students who want to pursue college education.
"I just realized that the program offers a vast opportunity for poor students like me to continue their education," expressed Nice who wants to be a good example to her fellow youth.
Under the CCSP, the city awarded scholarship to 176 new college freshmen for the schoolyear 2005-2006. With the new scholars, the city government is sponsoring the college education of 493 CCSP beneficiaries since it was launched in 1999.
Considered the bedrock of Mayor Vicente Y. Emano's administration, the City College Scholarship Program spent a total of P28,425,768.92 since 1999.
As she will get her most deserved diploma this weekend, she thanked her family for supporting her all the way and the City Government for the chance it gives to poor but deserving students like her in realizing their dreams and aspirations.
"My gratitude to City Mayor Vicente Y. Emano and the people of Cagayan de Oro who saw our needs and to CID who has given us support," said Nice.
She advises the youth to dream big dreams, hold on to this dream, keep struggling and persevere to reach farther grounds.
Whatever surprises destiny will bestow upon her, she will always quote what American broadcaster Tom Brokaw once said, "Think of the years you spent in school as your ticket to change the world."
For Nice, she will.
CITY COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
SCHOOL YEAR ALLOCATION
1999-2000 P 931,282.70
2000-2001 2,148,804.75
2001-2002 4,623,565.08
2002-2003 5,249,831.50
2003-2004 4,821.026.67
2004-2005 3,151,258.22
2005-2006 7,500,000.00
TOTAL P28,425,768. 92
(March 31, 2006 issue)
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