Janelle De Ocampo, Student Council President

“Just because I carry it well doesn’t mean it isn’t heavy,” a quote I’ve connected to ever since I’ve struck my eyes on it. It still feels unreal that this is finally the last term I will have in JCA. It’s funny how this is also the second farewell message There are so many things that I would like to say, as a HUMSS student I’ve been trained to communicate and let my thoughts be known as I speak out, and other forms of public speaking but one thing that I’m bad at? Saying goodbyes.

I’m still shocked on how my classmates believed and trusted in me. We’ve won several contests and made me a better leader. This school is still the biggest contributor to why I am the servant-leader I am now.

Now you may ask, despite knowing how heavy the job is, why do I still run for it? Well, the answer is simple. I want to serve the people and not the other way around. I want to be the “ate” they can approach, talk to, and look up to. I want to inspire, I want to influence others especially those who think that they are not capable of leading. I once was scared of where I am now but I’ve seen strong female leaders that I looked up to, an “ate” that I also got my inspiration from. So now that I’ve reached what I wanted and served people just like how I got taken care of, I want to be the one leaving that imprint on my officers and on every JCAian who recognizes that becoming a leader isn’t just about power, gaining recognition, and collecting credentials.

To Ms. Brendalyn Zamora and Mr. Zael Tan, thank you for guiding me in my final year of servant-leadership. To my fellow student council officers, I appreciate each of you and I hope that you continue to work with a pure purpose.

I hope that the inspiration I got shall be passed on year after year. I wouldn’t be here without God’s grace and I know that He has made me the servant-leader I am now for a purpose. So I can say that I indeed carried it well, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t heavy, it was the heaviest I’ve felt for years now, but with Him, I made it this far. This may be farewell, but someday, our paths will cross again—your “Ate SC Pres,” is still one call away. Now for the very last time, thank you JCA, and to God be the glory!