Honor, and Humility
Social Work Student of the Year?
I've won other things, however, nothing spoke to me the way this has.
I felt humility and validation.
Believing in you and fighting for your beliefs when everyone else says no-- MATTERS!
IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE. YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
I was one of four nominees. And, knowing their level of knowledge, efforts to learn, their story, obligations, and work they desire to do and practice was good enough for me to say, "Wow, I'm honestly grateful to be nominated alongside these individuals." I thought that was good enough for me-- to simply be nominated. These were genuinely people I was inspired by.
The other nominees had something truly amazing about them. Their joy of being of service in the community enables you to gravitate towards them.
One nominee: This nominee was my very first friend in my social work cohort! We related on so many levels. We're environmentalist! This person always bought me food and heard me out. I remember some of our first conversations were in Social Justice, talking about how social workers were superheroes. I thought him how to sling (this just gives context of how close we were/are & how free our friendship is). He'd pick me up with food and we'd go talk to homeless people, and give them food. This person was a veteran and had a complex history as well. But I, along with many other people, have been inspired by their works. Such a miracle worker!
Another nominee: This nominee is one of the most determined and organized people I know. This person come from such a heavy history, but doesn't allow it to consume them. This person has a family to care for and still, is dependable & gets great grades. This person always gives without thinking anything of it. On a side note, we're close. We'd go out together often, to grab food, ice-cream, or drink. Such a humorous & reliable person!
The last but definitely not least nominee: This nominee, I recently found out, is a relative of mine! This person has experienced it all. I am ALWAYS amazed by how much knowledge this person has. This person is seriously one of the most generous and caring individuals I know. This person would literally walk with me from one end of the campus to the other, or walk me to my car which is SO FAR and in the dark. I couldn't begin to express the many qualities this person has but, this was one person -- I wanted to nominate.
All three of these people were the only people (I believe) I've cried to in the cohort while having difficulties with my personal life.
They're such amazing human beings.
I couldn't begin to think, me? me? Social Work Student of the Year?
Nominated amongst these AMAZING individuals?
It is with great pleasure that I nominate Ms. Richille Uncangco for the 2019
Social Work Student of the Year Award to recognize the outstanding leadership
and extraordinary commitment in becoming a professional in the field of Social
Work. Richille exhibits an exemplary level of professionalism as Guam Legal
Services Corporation – Disability Law Center’s Social Work Intern and is quite
confident as she participates in group work discussions. In addition, Richille
provides knowledgeable insights to the various organizations and groups she is a
member of. Richille exhibits the willingness to take on responsibilities when a
team effort is more often than not, the name of the game!
In addition to achieving academic excellence at the University of Guam with
a 3.4 GPA, Richille will be obtaining a Minor in Sociology in addition to her
Bachelor’s in Social Work in May of 2019. This Minor in Sociology provides an
opportunity to travel to Bali in April to participate in UOG’s annual Bali Field
School Trip.
Richille is the 2018-2019 Student Representative of the NASW Guam
Chapter, a member of UOG’s Social Work Student Alliance (SWSA), Green
Army, and Sociology Club. Furthermore, her volunteer work in Guam’s
Homeless Coalition: Point in time count, Alee Shelter, Annual Coastal Clean up to
name a few.
Richille’s participation in a wide array of community involvement is a
strong indicator of her commitment to the work and the energy and excitement
displayed as she shares experiences with her fellow advocates at GLSC-DLC.
However, despite Richille’s range of accomplishments, the motivation that
drives this remarkable graduating senior is her family. The commitment she places
in knowing that her role as a daughter, sister, and more importantly, the
granddaughter of her precious nåna is the driving force in obtaining a college
degree. Knowing that a strong academic foundation in higher education is
limitless and with an outpouring of familial support, Richille’s college experience
is beyond measure.
This was my nomination bio:
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| Nomination |
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I've lived such a rollercoaster of a life, and I'm entirely grateful for those experiences because they've made me, me. They've given me this sense of empathy and humility to know what having nothing feels like. Although I live a comfortable life now, it hasn't always been this way. It's been a long journey, a journey that doesn't stop here. This is where it begins.
This award is such an honor!
CHANGE BEGINS WITH YOU.
CHANGE BEGINS WITH YOU.
