Thursday, March 3, 2011

PINAG-AARAL NG TRISKELIONS

JESSA M. HERRERA just obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from the World Citi Colleges. She is the first NTI Scholar to have completed her course of studies. Below is her account of how NTI has changed her life and the perceptions of those around her about the effects of the fraternity system in the Philippines.

"Hindi ka mapag-aaral ng fraternity na yan!", words we often hear when our parents found out that we were officially members of the fraternity/sorority.Three years ago, I can still recall the feelings of uneasiness and hesitations as I am trying to figure out if I would join this sorority or not. Positive and negative feedbacks alternately runs in my mind. I sat down and finalize the decision my mind was trying to push. Finally, I decided to join with a goal that, "to prove that not all fraternities and sororities will just ruin the lives of its members". This was based on my awakened insights regarding fraternities since I was a child.Three years ago, I became a Lady Triskelion, starting from where others have started, I belong to what they call M.O. (member-only) and I extended every effort I could, just to excel in the sorority. Being the alpha batch of my prestigious WCC chapter, my previously small world became BIG enough. I got the position of the Deputy Grand Lady Triskelion and started to represent my chapter.As years went by, my extended efforts were appreciated and as I gave my very best as a Lady Triskelion, I was appointed to be the Information and Communication Officer of the Rizal Lady Triskelion Coordinating Council last year 2008. Being the youngest officer of the provincial council, I continued to excel not only to represent my chapter but to live by my goal when I joined.

Like each and every one of us, problems were always unexpected. I was at my third year college in the course Bachelor of Science in Nursing when we went through financial problems. I was totally hopeless that time. Achieving a diploma is one of my highest priorities in life, and in those times, prayers were the only weapon left for me to continue my studies. I am the type of person who will never stop unless God tells me to. I talked to everyone who I think can give me advices and help. I even posted on the taugammasigmaworldwide yahoo groups pleading for some help and assistance.

Weeks after, I was planning to give up. I decided to seek a job that fits for me in the internet. It was a blessing when I received an e-mail from sister Daisy Pascual advising me to apply for a scholarship offered by the Northeast Triskelions. I immediately prepared and gathered everything needed in the application and finally with the help of Sis Susan Rondilla and my RLTCC family, my application for the scholarship was finally granted. Luckily, I was the first to receive the scholarship not only in Rizal but in the Philippines.

Honestly speaking, I did not expect that the sorority I have joined three years ago would be a stepping stone to my future. That this sorority, whom everyone was trying to pull down, would push me up to success. The scholarship given by the Northeast Triskelion Incorporated was the answer to my prayers. But having this scholarship isn’t that easy to handle. It is a matter of balance, as a scholar, a student, a Triskelion, a friend, a sister and a daughter. In my everyday life, I started to live in the principle that not everyone can be in my place right now, and because of that, I must be proud that I was blessed with this scholarship.

Three months from now, I will be graduating. This would not be possible without the helping hands of my mentors Sis Susan, Sis Anna, Quezo Nahag, Sid Legaspi and all my Triskelion family. I remembered one time, when I was in a family reunion, I heard my mother boastfully telling my relatives, “Yan si Jessa, graduating na yan ng nursing, pinag-aaral siya ng Tau Gamma”.

Jessa M. Herrera

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