Jennica Arana: The Courage to Excel

Coming from a small town in Mindanao, Jennica Arana did not look far and wide. She was contented belonging in the star section of their high school. However, approaching her senior year, she found her drive to reach her true potential. “I realized that I did not want to settle as someone mediocre. I focused too much on my peers in the earlier years that I had ultimately compromised my academics and my physical health.” 

With stronger motivation, she quickly rose to the top rank of her class. She graduated valedictorian and was conferred numerous awards for academic excellence and leadership. She credits her success to the support of her family. “I was blessed with parents who’d kept a close eye on me and made sure to cross oceans just to give me what I needed.”

“The scholarship was a very huge factor in deciding which University I’d ultimately end up attending. DLSU offered a very competitive benefits package— from the Vaugirard scholarship program, stipend, to the overall facilities of the campus. With no hesitation, I’d chosen the best university for me – DLSU,” Jen reveals.

She entered De La Salle University with apprehensions, thinking how exclusive it was.  However, her initial thoughts disappeared once she was able to interact with the Lasallian community. “It became evident that the people in DLSU were highly inclusive. It became such a breeze for me to adjust eventually, as I felt and knew that I was surrounded by the right people, and that I was in the right environment.” 

Her college journey, as a Psychology major, was not all smooth-sailing. “There were a lot of pressures from the responsibilities that came along with my scholarship, my organizations, my social life, my goal of having a distinction on graduation day, of being part of the Jose Rizal Honors Society, of making my parents proud, and of paying it forward to the university and the community.” 

With the right mindset, Jen made use of these challenges as the motivation to overcome the trials that she regularly encountered, fully trusting in her own capabilities. She adds, “believe in yourself in all ways, always.”

For Jen, “being a Lasallian means to always transcend – to go beyond what is expected, to break boundaries, to excel in the things we do – not just for personal development and growth, but for the community and the country as well.” Intent on passing on her experiences and knowledge to the next generation of Lasallians, she shares, “I wish to be a Lasallian educator in the future, to propagate quality Lasallian education to the future generations to come.”

Currently, Jen is working as the Foundational HR Leadership Development Program Professional at Johnson & Johnson. The pandemic situation is a challenge to her work, which is scouting for talents. “I’ve interviewed many types of applicants undergoing different challenges and situations, such as poor internet connections, phone signal, lack of resources, people seeking opportunities after getting laid off, etc. Lasallian education taught me to be compassionate and to have empathy towards individuals regardless of background, culture, race, or circumstance,” she says.

“There is a significant number of people who manifest great academic and professional potential, but are deprived of access to quality education,” she notes. Yet with the generosity and commitment of those who truly believe in De La Salle University’s mission to provide quality, service-driven, and faith-filled education, the lives of these scholars have been transformed.

——-

Jennica was a Vaugirard scholar.  This scholarship program is named after the place where St. John Baptist de La Salle founded his first noviciate.  The program awards full scholarship to 50 of the best and brightest students from public high schools nationwide every year.  Scholars are given monthly stipends to cover board and lodging, meals, transportation, and books.

To know more about DLSU Scholarships, visit https://www.dlsu.edu.ph/admissions/scholarships/

If you would like to take part in our mission of making quality, Christian education accessible to all, you may contact  us at [email protected]

> Read more stories