Daisy May Nonato, a Mass Communication student of UNO-R, is proclaimed as one of the top awardees in the 2013 “The Outstanding Students” (THOS) of Negros Occidental Awards during the formal rites at Robinson’s Place Bacolod, February 2. The junior Chamber Bacolod (JCI), a membership-based non-profit organization, was responsible for giving the awards to the 17 college students who were nominated by their respective school administrators. The nominees had to prepare an e-bidbook which was power point presentation of their personal data, achievements and community and school involvement. They also underwent preliminary interview at O-Hotel on January 5. The top ten students went through the final interview on January 19, still at O-Hotel. Nonato and Christine Joy De la Cruz, a B.S. Computer Science student of UNO-R, made it to the top ten. De la Cruz also received an award for Meritorious Performance in e-bidbook presentation. Nonato was named as one of the top three awardees and received a special award for being a P&G Leadership Awardee. She is the daughter of Virgie P. Nonato and Juan A. Nonato. Her excellent leadership skills were honed from being a consistent achiever since her elementary days. She finished her elementary education at Moises Padilla Elementary School as valedictorian. She was also valedictorian when she finished high school at Fellowship Baptist School of Binalbagan. She was awarded by the Private Secondary Schools and Administrators Association of the Philippines (PRISAAP) as the Region 6 Most Outstanding Student, and Region 6 IWAG Awardee for campus journalism given by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). She is a consistent dean’s listee of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) in UNO-R; a former college governor; finalist in Ayala Young Leaders Congress (AYLC); finalist in Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural Educational Association (NOPSSCEA) search for outstanding students; and currently the Editor-in-Chief of the CAS’ publication, The Clover. “I lead and serve without asking anything in return, but God gave a gift which I will always be thankful of,” Nonato said. UNO-R Vice President for Student Welfare, Fr. Louie Gabinete, OAR, nominated her for the THOS Award. “There are people who are achievers because they are the people who are hardworking. For Daisy May, its very veri evident that, if you strive hard to achieve something that is beneficial not only for oneself but for others , too, it’s probable that you would be victorious. She was able to prove that coming from a very humble place and very simple environment will never be a hindrance to succeed. Her person will always be a epitome of humble girl, humble heart but with big dreams in life. Kudos to Daisy May! Kudos to the students like her who, though poor as they may be, achieve something despite the odds. I give my salute to the parents of Daisy May who are very supportive of their special girl,” Fr. Louie Gabinete said. Other top awardees came from Riverside College Inc. (INC) and University of St. La Salle(USLS).
(Re-print from Sunstar Bacolod by Chona M. Malinog)