And the first-ever recipient of SSC’s PRESIDENTIAL EXCELLENCE AWARD is… DANICA BELLE TAN! Congratulations!
Recognising an SSCian’s top achievement not only in the academics but also in leadership and service, this award is given only at the Awards Committee’s discretion led by the School President. And for Batch 2020, it was a unanimous decision to hand over this award to Danica.
In the field of academics, Danica received the SUBJECT GROUP DISTINCTION AWARD for having the highest mark for IB Diploma Programme’s SCIENCES (Subject Group 5) and sharing the highest marks for INDIVIDUALS & SOCIETIES (Subject Group 3). She also received the CITIZENSHIP AWARD for her OUTSTANDING CONDUCT marks since Secondary 4. Danica has also been consistently chosen as the House Representative of her cohort, ever since the school enacted it. This past school year, the House Representatives from Secondary and Pre-University elected her to sit as their President. Danica, meanwhile, has received offers for her 1st choices at both Ateneo de Manila University (BS Management Engineering) and De La Salle University (BS Industrial Engineering).
In her speech during BATCH 2020’s virtual Commencement Day last 18 June 2020, Danica had this to share.
“When I first heard of the Presidential Excellence Award, I knew that I wanted it. So when Tita Trixie told me that I was the recipient of this award, I was euphoric. I did it! I got the award that I dreamt day and night of having. I’ve made my Parents proud! However, as I began writing this speech, it hit me. I wouldn’t have received this if it weren’t for my classmates.
(House of) Champions, you entrusted me with the responsibility of leading our class. But now, I realise that a leader doesn’t mean having all the answers. Being a leader doesn’t require you to be the most intelligent or innovative among the bunch. Because let’s be honest, I’m neither. It isn’t also all about making history, nor is it about building a legacy. A leader is one that is primarily able to respect his or her peers and listen to what they can bring to the table. Someone that sees extraordinary potential when others just see the ordinary. A leader is nothing without his or her people, just like how I wouldn’t be anywhere close to where I am today without each of you.”
From the above, here are takeaways readers of this social media post can be reminded of:
FOR THE YOUTH: Do not be scared to dream and want something big and badly!
FOR THE ADULTS AND LEADERS: Being a leader is not easy; needs a lot of sacrifice and humility. But we soldier on because the passion and purpose of making a positive change for the common good burns stronger!
And lastly…
FOR DANICA FROM SSC’S SCHOOL PRESIDENT: “With the armour that is the SSCian in you, we look forward to your next chapter in your life, applying all that you have learnt and more than ever due to this pandemic, creating a world we prefer to live in, than the one we left behind. Thank you for using part of your speech to induct SSC’s Alumni Association (See the last photo in this post). We shall see you all again this June 2021 (it’s a date)!” – Tita Trixie
