Dane Benedict Dionisio
A distant, yet vivid memory of mine as a little boy reminds me of when my mother and I used to dream about studying in a science high school. After I graduated as a valedictorian in pre-school, she told me, “Mas pagbutihin mo pa yung pag-aaral mo para makapasa ka sa Kisay pagdating mo ng high school”. These are words that I treasured deep in my heart, even to this day, as I am already approaching my last year in Quezon City Science High School. From the little steps I made as a pre-school student to the daring leaps I took as a high school student, my mother consistently pushed me to keep moving and to soar high for my dreams.
As a single parent, my mother provides for the financial needs of the family. My mother and father got separated before I even turned a year old and she had to be responsible for the needs of the members of our household, including my grandparents and me. Although my mother earns a decent amount, she still struggles financially. She finds it hard to juggle paying for her own maintenance medicine, my grandparents’ medical needs, and the expenses I need for school. My grandfather receives a small pension, but it usually goes to monthly medical checkups. Our household income is heavily allocated toward essential healthcare and support.
Raised as a sole child of my family, I have persistently strived to be a consistent honor roll student. I also took part in clubs like the QCSHS Science Club and the school’s official Filipino publication, Banyuhay, in order to refine my skills in leadership, communication, and writing. I believe that the skills that I will learn and the accolades I will earn in high school are crucial for my growth and these are things that will help me in college, and ultimately succeed in life in order to repay my family’s efforts to raise me into the man I am today.
Looking forward to my last year in QueSci, the scholarship provided by ANI will be of great help to me. As an incoming grade twelve student, I am worried about the expenses that are yet to be spent on research and other requirements. The rising prices also bother me, as this can affect my transportation. One thing is for certain: I will not waste a single penny that will be entrusted to me. I will make sure that it will contribute not only to my success but also to the success of my family and the entirety of the Scientian community. My goal is that someday, I will be able to “pay it forward” to all the people who helped me get here, and also be able to contribute financially to students in need.
My utmost hard work and commitment are dedicated to my family. There is nothing I will not do for them. After everything that my mother went through to raise me and care for the entire family, I want to tell her someday that “it’s my turn”. I will continue to soar high and make my family’s dreams come true.
