Arabella Reyes

Application Essay – My Final Metamorphosis

Graduating class of 2026! As a member of the unfortunate batch who had to begin in QueSci — not actually in QueSci, I’ve been a subject to the ever-so evolving stages included in being here. With the last one upcoming, I choose to reach for this step to transition into what I really have to be.

The so-called “transition” to being a senior, takes me back to when the word defined our freshman year. The world transitioned to a “new normal” way of schooling, while I transitioned into studying here. My transition from a private Catholic school to a regional Science High School, yearning for an advancement in my knowledge, and a decrease in our expenses. Having to adapt to a lifestyle, toned down from the leisure I’ve had before, which now inflated to a luxury. Since the money had to be spent on our late grandfather’s piling hospital fees from stroke, and to aid my grandmother’s pulmonary heart disease of which she’s still fighting. The money which was provided by only my father, money whose amount gradually decreased. Though I’m thankful to have enough resources to survive and carry on, it’s still not enough to lift off the weight from our crushing debt.

But, my financial problems are also not enough to suppress me from soaring into what I aim to be. For I’m esteemed with my goals and dreams in transitioning to be a better student. Consistently, I’ve strived in order to always be included in the honors list, and even to top in specific subject areas. I’ve also made myself useful in different organizations in our school, but I know I could only be better. There’s still so much left for me to do, even with just a year left. So, I aspire to leap into more opportunities I could get, and be of service in future roles I have to fulfill. I will be more diligent and insightful in cooperative works, allowing myself to exhibit my skills. I will take on more leadership roles, to practice my authority, and learn even further how to work with people. Most importantly, I aim to attain a higher acclamation in my academic performance, pushing myself to work even harder. I’ve watched myself change and improve from the clueless student I was from the past, and I only wish to grow bigger.

With the last transition I have to go through, I am ascertained that with ANI’s Scholarship Program, it won’t be as unfortunate anymore. My years of perseverance will finally be compensated, and I will be freed from the financial burdens that held me back. And I will only prove myself more and more how deserving I am, for this scholarship is what’ll get me out of my cocoon, and let me fly to the highest peaks.

Exit Essay – One Foot Forward

I’ve always been told to put “one foot forward in front of the other”. Keep moving forward and keep on going—until you get to where you should be! What I thought would just be a light stroll along the street, quickly became a race towards a distance I couldn’t fathom.

To put it lightly, that was exactly how senior year played out to me. We couldn’t even let it begin without the thought of college already chasing after us. It was all about where to apply, where to review, how to apply, how to review? We all strung far as we prepared for the year ahead, forgetting we still have THIS year to deal with.

I took the stride way too hastily that I tripped along the way. Which is something I could also say literally as I tripped around some time in January and acquired an injury. Though that one might’ve just been a foolish accident, it wasn’t far off from what was also happening with me. As much as I cared for my future, I also owed it to myself to savor the present and experience all that I’ve missed out on the former years.

I have slowly become the things I never thought I could be. Becoming more proactive and outspoken, becoming more present with my friends, becoming more generous—becoming more of what I wanted to be. I opened myself to so much more opportunities, including being in ANI. It hasn’t only helped me financially, but opened me to meaningful connections and provided me with so much knowledge from my Titos and Titas. Even with the occasional dinners and messages, they’ve taught and inspired me in a lot. I have never expected to gain even more aspirational and caring figures in my life.

As the year has ended, and as a new one will start. In my dream university that I’ve mentioned in our first dinner. I’ll forever cherish what this year has given and how it helped me get to where I am; and how it’ll continuously help me into the greater distances I still have to reach.