The UST Scholarship Committee with the scholars, from l to r: Gee Carbonell, chairman; Rod E. Cantiveros, member; Francheska Denise Moncada, Patrishia Valencia, Royce Nathan Arugay, Paul Gamboa, Reggie Santos, chairperson, scholarship committee, and Alda Sugayan Ruiz, member.
Pursuing a career in a university entails strong financial support from the family as the cost of education increases over the years. Enter the University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association of Manitoba Inc. (USTAAMI) into the picture when they awarded four students cash scholarships and bursaries in a recently held awarding ceremony at Sturgeon Heights Community Centre.
The award is based not only on academic excellence but also on volunteerism during high school as one of the requirements to qualify for the award. This is the 44th year of USTAAMI’s scholarship award program.
An added feature to inspire the scholars, Winnipeg North MP Kevin Lamoureux was the guest of honor, addressing the scholars on the value of education in Canada.
“UST is an educational institution with a history that pre-dates universities like Harvard as it embodies the value and importance of education,” Lamoureux said.
The Scholars with the officers and board members of USTAAMI
Another inspirational speech was delivered by Sheree Mendoza, a 2016 USTAAMI top scholar, recalling how the UST scholarship had helped her to pursue her professional career.
This year’s USTAAMI scholars include:
1. Francheska Denise Cruz Moncada from Faith Academy, with an almost perfect grade of 98.60, and enrolled in the University of Manitoba pursuing Engineering. She hopes to become a physicist or bio-chemist. She received Governo General Award, Chown, and Gary Mcleod Math Scholarship Award. Volunteer in UGM, Agape Table, Church 188, Winnipeg Harvest, and other NGOs.Moncada received a $2,000 cash award.
2. Patrisha Valencia graduated from Sturgeon Heights Collegiate with a grade of 94.80. Now enrolled at the University of Manitoba’s I.H,.Asper School of Business and wants to be a Chartered Professional Accountant. Some awards include Business Program & Student Council Awards and St. James Assiniboia School Board Cash Awardee. She volunteered in craft sales, basketball tournaments, and shoveling neighbor’s snow.
3. Royce Nathan Arugay, a graduate of Vincent Massey Collegiate with a grade of 91.80 and now enrolled at the University of Winnipeg pursuing Computer Science leading from Software Developer to Software Engineer. He volunteered as Social Media Rep, VM Student Council, UNESCO Project, and Member, of Youth Parliamentary, to mention a few. Awarded Jim Carr Award for Leadership, Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award-Bronze Standard.
4. Paul Gamboa , a graduate of St. Maurice School with a grade of 91.20 and enrolled at U of Manitoba pursuing Science and wishes to become a Computer Teacher. Awards: Honor Roll Award and Academic Excellence in Psychology. And he was a volunteer as a teacher’s assistant Grade 10 Print Communication Course.
A Bursary award is given to any UST Alumni member to upgrade or pursue a new course. This year’s awardee who received $1000 was Cenere Carla Bonifacio, a UST graduate of HRM who is studying to be a health worker.
The USTAAMI scholarship committee is composed of Reggie Valencia Santos, chairperson; members Rod E. Cantiveros, Alda Sugayan Ruiz, Archie Huypungco, Phil Anciro, Maridol Madolora and Leah Magsino.
USTAAMI officers for 2022-2023 include Girard Carbonell, Chairman; Vice-chairman, Phil Anciro; Treasurer, Lanie Pasco; Alternate treasurer, Mayumi Vicente; Cecretary, Evhonel Comia; Alternate secretary, Prosy Kalaw; Auditor, Regina Santos; and Adviser, Leah Magsino. The Board of directors includes Girard Carbonell, Phil Anciro, Evhonel Comia, Lanie Pasco, Mayumi Vicente, Regina Santos, Aida Ruiz, Lauren Albano, Darell Nogot, Shiela Bumacod, Prosy Kalaw and Maridol Madolora.
Photo by Rod Cantiveros | Filipino Journal
