Inspiring graduation anecdotes
Students dressed in togas and caps with dangling tassels, the time of the year when students climb up the stage to receive that hard-earned diploma. It is like crossing the finish line and starting another race, another phase in their lives. It is graduation season once again. Students celebrate to culminate the end of their sleepless nights toiling for their education, but others had to do everything with double effort.
Like this young girl I came across who hails from Argao. On weekends she sold fish caught by her father from the sea. On school days she studied well to always be on the dean's list so her parents get a discount paying her tuition. Her name is Regine Villamejor, and she is never embarrassed of the background of her parents who are fisherfolks. She talks very proudly of the both of them and even said that her medal with the Magna Cum Laude label is theirs, not hers.
Another was a 38-year-old man who bravely entered college at a mature age. He worked at night as a security guard and went to school after his shift. On top of that, this man Erwin Macua, was a father of three and a husband. He finished Cum Laude last weekend with a big smile plastered on his face. He said he used to go to college then but stopped because of financial constraints.
It amazes me how these two individuals found the drive to strive for their dreams despite the circumstance. They did not have all the resources they wanted to make their studying easier, yet they managed to get by and in an excellent manner. Having known their stories, I found out that the key to success mainly lies in the determination and the humility of the person. It is not face value or the amount of wealth one has. My father used to tell me that education is one thing that cannot be stolen or sold off, a treasure that is yours alone.
What's next for Regine and Manong Erwin? They told me they would look for greater opportunities with the stories they had on hand. Their experience in college will help them ace their future careers which they have dreamed of for so long. It goes to prove that there is no hindrance to attaining a good education.
The next challenge is the real world: it will be tough, maybe even bloody. There will be a lot of energy from being a fresh graduate and the world will try to diminish it slowly. They should be cautious not to get carried away and to live by the ideals instilled in them when they were still in school.
I'm excited for the next generation. Their doubled effort may have paid off through medals and awards but nothing can replace their experience and stories to tell which may inspire others. It makes me happy to know that we can overcome the system of inaccessible education for all. With the right formula, success is attainable.