“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way, but if you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.”
These were the words of top student achiever Dave Emmanuel Nuada. Nuada, now a junior taking up BS Computer Engineering, ranked first among all President’s Listers (PL) in Holy Cross College during the previous academic year 2020-2021.
“It was not an easy ride. There were things I wanted to give up on, but something in my mind [said] ‘I need to try harder,” Nuada shared, referring to the new modality of education.
The Computer Science major is only one among the millions of Filipino students who had to adjust to the new learning system. Due to the risks brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, traditional face-to-face classes have been put on hold. At HCC, virtual classes are done via the school’s e-Learning Management System, HCC Heart Cloud, to ensure Crucians continue to get quality education despite the global crisis.
Nuada, along with all the other students who made it to the President’s List of academic achievers, were recognized this Tuesday, July 27.
127 students across all programs and year levels received the award. The Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) recorded the most number of PLs last academic year, with 25 students awarded.
HCC awarded medals and cash incentives to students who made the list.
Dr. Paolo Lumanlan, the program chairperson of the BEED, said the awarding ceremony is a ‘testimony of the great things our students have managed to do despite the Covid-19 pandemic.’
For his part, HCC President Atty. Dennis Pangan said he hopes to see consistency among the school’s “academic celebrities,” not only throughout their education but also even after they graduate.
“We need to produce quality graduates. Ayokong makilala ang Holy Cross College na isang diploma mill. Ang gusto ko, mamayagpag kayong lahat,” said Atty. Pangan in his speech.
He also asked the top students to always live by HCC’s core values: Fides, Caritas, Libertas.
To be considered a President’s Lister, a student should have grades not lower than 90 and a General Weighted Average of 92.