The students were fed a light breakfast as the dean of student services, Leo Pangelinan, opened the floor with welcoming remarks introducing Smart Start.
Students were randomly assigned seats in order to build camaraderie with each other.
Education Commissioner Rita Sablan was invited to speak and share her inspirational experience as a college student.
“My dad supported me throughout college but I also worked to pay for my tuition,” she said.
She recounted how she wanted to help the community and make a difference.
She said she wanted to do more than when she started out as an elementary teacher. Her heart guided her to who she is today, she added.
Making a positive difference in the lives of children is her passion and an honorable one at that.
A panel featuring Sonia Dancoe, an engineer; attorney Mike Evangelista; and former Rep. Tina Sablan was also part of a presentation during the symposium.
They shared the experience of their first days in college.
“It is a scary experience,” said Tina Sablan. “I burst into tears on my first day but you know what? It’s okay to cry. Once you let out all the stress and frustration, the rest of your days in college will be great!”
The panelists stressed the importance of choosing a major that fits your current interests because it will determine what career path you will be taking in the future.
They also told the students that it’s very important to think everything through before graduation because being prepared in advanced is what college is all about.
NMC’s College Access Challenge Project ambassadors Marvin Rabauliman, Blaren Castro, Ian Carr, and Stacy Demapan encouraged the students to never give up.
“I’m a freshman at NMC,” said Rabauliman. “When I was in high school, no one had any faith I’d end up in college. I’d never thought I’d be up here talking to you. Everyone thought I’d be pumping gas all my life but here I am now!”
According to Castro, “When I was in high school I had a lot of people doubting me. No one knew I was going to be in college. They doubted me because of the friends I had. One by one my friends would get expelled until I was the only one left.”
At that point, he said, “everyone wanted me out and expelled but I refused and I graduated class of 2007. I’m not trying to say that I’m successful or that I’m smart. What I’m trying to say is that I chose the right path and right now I am in the right path toward success. Do you want to know why? Because I started smart!” he added with a smile on his face.
Ian Carr for his part said it’s never too late to start college. It took him 20 years after high school to get into college. “It’s hard to balance school, work and a family,” he told the students. “So I have to learn good time management skills.”
Demapan said she never thought she was smart enough to go to college. “When my friends would get an A, I would get an A minus!”
But she decided to tackle college and ended up graduating with an associate’s degree and is currently taking classes to pursue a BA in education.
A Kagman High School senior told Variety that he would want to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of his statement. He said he would like to voice out his thoughts about the symposium and how he related to the ambassadors.
“I did not plan to attend NMC but I might change my mind. I was inspired by Blaren and Marvin to consider going to college because I’m in the same situation where my friends and I are considered as ‘trouble makers’ and are always accused of using drugs because of our reputation. My teachers don’t have faith in me. Even my parents doubt I will make a good future for myself but it’s time to change before I ruin my life,” he told Variety in an interview.
The students were told that it is best to start at NMC’s fully accredited institution in order to save money while attaining an associate’s degree before heading off to another institution if that is what they plan to do.
However, they still have the option of staying close to home and becoming successful with NMC’s bachelor’s program.
