Duyongco was in Puerto Galera with her batch mates from the University Dorm when the piece of paper announcing her as Batch 2009’s class valedictorian was posted on the bulletin board of the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (ADAA) on the afternoon of March 11.
Duyongco first learned of the news when a fellow dormer informed one of her companions through text. Later, a text message she received from ADAA confirmed the news.
“I was really really shocked, and then happy, and then overwhelmed, and [as if all] emotions, and then people started to hug me and congratulate me so I forgot about what I felt talaga,” said Duyongco.
Possible candidates
According to ADAA Eduardo Jose Calasanz, the criteria for choosing the valedictorian are the following: academic achievement, leadership in extra and co-curricular activities, and personal quality.
The Office of the Registrar first releases the list of graduating seniors who are in the running for Latin honors. “Technically, everyone on that list is a possible candidate [for valedictorian],” said Calasanz.
From the list, the senior batch votes who they would want to be valedictorian. The results are then sent to the Standards Committee, who sends notices to the candidates inviting them to submit their curriculum vitae and an essay.
The shortlisted candidates are then interviewed, which is the final step. After deliberations, the Standards Committee, which is composed of students, faculty, and the Associate Deans for Academic Affairs and for Graduate Programs, recommends a valedictorian to the Vice President, who approves it.
Diligent, a true leader
Not only will Duyongco be graduating as class valedictorian this March, but also as summa cum laude and departmental awardee, with a cumulative Quality Point Index of 3.88. Duyongco was also valedictorian when she graduated from the Sacred Heart School for Girls in Cebu.
“She’s very diligent—she won’t go to sleep until she’s finished with whatever she’s doing. She always does her best in everything and is never satisfied with mediocrity,” said Katrina Louise Yap (IV BS Mgt) of Duyongco. Yap is Duyongco’s roommate in the University Dorm and a friend since elementary school.
Aside from participating in orgs such as Ateneo Resident Students Association and Ateneo Students Catholic Action, she said that her priority is the Pre-Medical Society of the Ateneo (PMSA), of which she is the outgoing president.
Duyongco was also nominated as Leader of the Year in the Council of Organizations of the Ateneo Awards.
“Keshia embodies the makings of a true leader—one that is loved and respected by her constituents,” said incoming PMSA president Joan Chavez (III BS HSc), who has been inspired by Duyongco’s leadership.
“Keesh’s passion for excellence allowed PMSA to break its mold of mediocrity and aim to be a better organization, not just for paperwork, but for the formation and development of its members and the communities it caters to,” said Chavez.
Humble and modest
When asked if she voted for Duyongco, Yap said “Of course!”
“I think that whoever we vote for valedictorian should not be someone who thinks of himself [or] herself as above the rest of us, but someone who is able to relate to all the other people. Despite the many praises that she receives…she remains very humble and modest,” said Yap.
Duyongco, who was interviewed by the Standards Committee as a shortlisted candidate, says she didn’t expect anything. What she only wanted was Latin honors for her family.
For Duyongco, it wasn’t really being valedictorian that mattered most, but the fact that people wanted it for her. “Even if I had the valedictorian award and people didn’t support me, didn’t like the fact that I got it, [it was nothing]. [That was the more] overwhelming…feeling, that people liked that I had the award,” she said.
