DLSU welcomes newest batch of Star Scholars

De La Salle University officially welcomed the latest batch of Star Scholars last August 28 at the 4th Floor Multipurpose Room of the Henry Sy, Sr. Hall. Regarded as the best and brightest students in the country, 12 scholars were recognized for topping last year’s DLSU College Admission Test (DCAT).

In his opening remarks, President and Chancellor OIC Br. Dennis Magbanua FSC said that offering generous scholarship grants is a practice that can be traced back to the times of St. John Baptist de La Salle. The La Salle patron saint wanted education to be accessible for everyone.

Br. Dennis also shared his hopes that the new batch of Star Scholars would develop into genuine Lasallians for God and country. The recognition rites was attended by Star Scholar alumni, scholars, DLSU administrators, and faculty members.

Star Scholar alumnus Angelo Gutierrez (APC, ’14) from Star Scholar Batch 12 shared how surprised he was when he first learned that he was a candidate for the scholarship. He explained that he did not expect to study at DLSU given his financial status at the time, but it became possible when he received the news that he was chosen to be one his batch’s Star Scholars.

As a message to the newest batch of scholars, Gutierrez stressed that a Star Scholar is not just limited to being great at academics, but also being active in extra-curricular activities, socio-civic organizations, community development programs.

“We [Star Scholars] need to remember that Star Scholars are not just chosen because of our performance in our schools, or because of our performance in the test. We are chosen because of our holistic potential, of what we did in the past, and hopefully, what we will and can do in the future,” Guitierrez furthered.

The new batch was then presented with the latest iPad mini as one of the benefits of the scholarship. The high schools the scholars graduated from were also recognized for producing students who performed exceptionally in last year’s DCAT.

Anchelle Ho (I, HUM-BIO), who spoke on behalf of Batch 16, shared how a Star Scholar should not be defined by their grades, but by the effort they give when faced with challenges. She also stressed the importance of finding their own path to success. “We won’t exactly be following the footsteps of the Star Scholars before us, but instead, [we should] make our own trail of footsteps for every Lasallian to follow,” she concluded.