IN RECOGNITION of their contributions in building sustainable communities and their potentials to be future leaders, Carmen Copper Corp. (CCC) awarded seven outstanding Toledo City high school graduates who excelled academically and demonstrated superb leadership skills.
The recipients of this year’s Carmen Copper Leadership Excellence Award (CCLEA) are Ruvymae Villarmea of Bunga National High School, Christopher Alegarbes of Cantabaco National High School, Myfel Jaeia Fuentes of Don Andres Soriano National High School (DASNHS), Niña Louisse Nengasca of De La Salle-Andres Soriano Memorial College, Monica Librando of Gen. Climaco National High School (GCNHS), Philip John Segarra of Magdugo National High School (MNHS) and Shien Ann Abatayo of Media Once National High School.
They also serve their respecttive communities.
They were chosen by their respective schools after satisfying these criteria: students must have demonstrated good conduct, outstanding leadership skills, community service and academic excellence.
By conferring the award, CCC aims to instill the values of excellence, leadership and community service among students who could be the country’s future leaders.
CCC also aims to inspire them to achieve their aspirations in life.
The CCLEA is a project under the company’s social development and management program, which promotes quality and inclusive education for all towards building sustainable and self-reliant communities in Toledo City.
Fuentes of DASNHS said one must serve to lead.
“For me, a great leader must be a servant first. A great leader puts the needs of others first before herself. She also ensures the well-being and growth of the community,” she said.
Fuentes, a former student officer, graduated at the top of her senior high school batch.
Since 2015, she has been an active member of the Barangay Anti-dengue Task Force in Barangay Don Andres Soriano where they implement awareness campaigns and other activities to educate the people on dengue prevention and control.
For his part, Segarra said a great leader abides by the rules, inspires and influences others to do the same.
Segarra, who graduated senior high school with honors, served time as the Supreme Student Government (SSG) president at MNHS.
He led fellow officers and volunteer students in conducting regular clean-up activities in the school and community to raise awareness on environmental protection and conservation.
“We want to teach our fellow students, especially our juniors, to keep the surroundings clean through proper waste segregation. Eventually, when they make cleanliness a habit, they would do the same in their respective homes and communities,” Segarra said.
For her part, Librando took leadership to a whole new level. During her stint at GCNHS, she was elected as the SSG president and the Youth for Environment in School Organization president. She also headed their school’s Campus Integrity Crusaders-Office of the Ombudsman.
Librando said she often walked for almost two hours every day to reach the school with an allowance of P10.
Despite the financial hardship of her family, she did not stop her drive in achieving her goal to graduate at the top of her class.
A consistent achiever since elementary school, Librando made her difficulties as her inspiration to pursue excellence and serve others.
She envisions a country that will be led by incorruptible officials and people who care for the environment in the future.
As a natural leader, she often initiates projects. She also speaks her mind when she thinks she has something better to contribute.
Librando believes that a leader must know how to listen to the ideas from others and learn from them.
The awardees received a gold medal, certificate, P2,000 worth of self-help books on leadership and personal development and P3,000 cash incentive. They also earned the eligibility to apply at the Carmen Copper Academic Scholarship Program.