Katrina Athea Magsombol, an accountancy student and the Executive Vice President of the De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) Heirs and Outstanding Nurturer-Officers of Realities (HONOR) Society, seized the top award during the Ten Outstanding Junior College Students (TOJCS) recognition rites at the Diokno Auditorium, March 27.
In an interview with Lavoxa Online, Magsombol shared that F.E.A.R guided her continued civic engagement amidst self-doubt.
“Sobrang dami ko pong doubts sa sarili ko pero ti-nurn ko po ang F.E.A.R into ‘Face Everything and Rise,’ and that’s why up until now although may doubts, tuloy pa rin po ako sa pag se-serve sa ating community,” Magsombol said.
In her acceptance address, Magsombol noted that although she had initially decided to step back from her organizational and community service responsibilities, the encouragement she received from the then-HONOR Society president pushed her to carry forward.
“I decided na […] ipapahinga ko muna ang sarili ko sa pag se-serve sa community ngayong taon […] pero naligawan ako ng aming president,” said Magsombol.
Furthermore, she highlighted that each individual defines differently what it means to be outstanding and urged the next batch to serve with sincerity rather than for recognition.
“We have our own definition of what being outstanding means but then I hope ang mga susunod na batch—hindi lang po sila mag-serve sa community just to own this recognition. Sana nasa loob po nila ‘yung […] dedication and genuineness sa pag se-serve,” she added.
Trailing behind Magsombol, Lavoxa Tabloid Associate Editor Bea Kathrina Aguila placed second, while Althea Lorrane Sagadal, the Executive Vice President for External Affairs of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines (IEEP) – DLSL Student Chapter, ranked third.
Subsequently, Ashanti Pierre Segunial, the Associate for Academic Affairs of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA) – DLSL Local Chapter, claimed the fourth spot, followed by Association of Communication Students (ACtS) Executive President Lance Raphael Guevara in fifth.
Ranked sixth was Lasallian Jurists (LJ) Chief Secretary Kirsten Therese Mortel succeeded by Andrea Ysabelle Suarez, the Executive Vice President of the Student Government (SG), who clinched the seventh spot.
The eighth distinction was given to Janealle Kersie Virrey, the Executive Vice President of Les Lasallian Lumieres (LLL), while JPIA – DLSL Local Chapter Vice President for Leadership Development and Socio-Civic Involvement Johnrei Vincent Quinio secured the ninth position, and Anthea Mae Cometa, the JPIA – DLSL Local Chapter Associate for External Affairs, ranked in tenth place.
From a pool of 129 nominees and 59 applications, the TOJCS finalists were evaluated based on their academic performance, leadership, extracurricular involvement, community initiatives, and a panel interview.
