QUEZON City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte will honor 177 graduating public school students who have devoted themselves to selfless service to their schools and communities through the “Joy of Public Service” award.
The graduates, 30 from secondary schools and 147 from elementary for school year 2017-2018, will each receive a medal, a special certificate, and P2,000 cash gift from the Office of the Vice Mayor, she said.
“The point of the award is to recognize the most service-oriented students. These are the children who continue to practice the value of volunteerism. They have been active in different socially relevant organizations. They have volunteered themselves to help others,” Belmonte said.
Now on its seventh year, the award recognizes students who have demonstrated the value of “service above self” and have shown “exemplary commitment to the service of the school, its communities and its students.”
The awardees must have also shown interest and genuine concern on social issues, such as environmental protection and children’s rights and welfare, Belmonte said.
“I believe that the basis for good leadership is not high grades, but the ability, capacity or willingness to serve the community. The award doesn’t go to the student with the highest grade; it goes to the one who has the most selfless heart,” she added.