RAFI continues to groom community youth leaders
November 13, 2009, 02:22:22 pm by RAFI WebMaster
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RAFI continues to groom community youth leaders
SUCCESSORS. The Young Minds Academy batch 3 graduates with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation president Roberto E. Aboitiz and Chief Operating Officer Dominica B. Chua (center) and representatives of partner and sponsoring organizations.
“You already stand out among your peers…you are leaders,” Roberto E. Aboitiz, president of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation (RAFI), told the latest graduates of the Young Minds Academy (YMA).
The YMA is a youth leadership and citizenship program aimed at developing young emerging leaders to become responsible and accountable citizens ready to serve the public and its interest.
Scholars undergo a series of sessions and trainings as well as exposures for eight months, based on a particular theme, based on the millennium development goals, for the season.
The season that recently culminated focused on education. The past two seasons dwelled on environment and health.
“I realized that grades and (academic-related) certificates do not really matter…. What really matters is how one changes for the better and what one relishes and experiences learning,” Russell Fernandez, 19, said in his testimony in the Best of Young Minds Conference, Awards and Graduation last Sept. 5.
The culminating activity was also the venue for the scholars to present their community-based proposals, with the best among each generation conferred with the Innovative Young Minds Award.
Proposals conferred with the award for each generation were: “Community-based Learning Center for Farmers” by Irenea Ferolino, Melody Federico, Jennibeth Garcia, Cecilia Listones and June Villarubia of Generation 1 (21-30 years old); “Improved Teacher Performance and Reduced Turnover Rate in Cebu City through Enhanced Teacher Recruitment” by Lordie Garcia, Joan Ybañez, Janna Lua, Ivy Raffols and Mindy Jadraque of Generation 2 (17-20 years old); and “Project Ts: Teaching Science Through Scouting Education” by Sayre Bongo, Justein Redoble, Prexie Ligaray, Camielle Jimenez and Monique Roa of Generation 3 (12-16 years old).
“…(program) is called Young Minds Academy because (RAFI) believe(s) that young minds can keep the fire of change burning…because young minds can make things happen,” Stacey Fortuna, 16, said.
Aside from the best projects, the best scholars and teams, with the Jon Ramon Aboitiz Medal for Personal Excellence and Roberto E. Aboitiz Medal for Team Excellence as the highest awards, respectively, were also recognized.
Awarded for personal excellence per generation were Irenea Ferolino of Generation 1, Roberto Martin Misterio of Generation 2, and Stephen Magallon of Generation 3; for team excellence were the Team of Ferolino and company for Generation 1, the Team of Misterio, Eunice Suan, April Rose Gavaran, Fannie Lendio and Marion Jep Laput for Generation 2, and the Team of Magallon, Migue Mar Malayo, Kimberly Sabate, Ariel Echavez and Guillermo Diluvio Jr. for Generation 3.
"We would like to really see at the end of the program a group of young people who are active citizens. Who will serve their community and who really look beyond themselves…whose interests are not just themselves but really looking at the interests of others," Evelyn Nacario-Castro, Executive Director of the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center, the program of the RAFI that runs the YMA, said.
Now, the EADSC is accepting applications for its 4th run, with governance as a timely theme, especially with the upcoming 2010 elections.
Interested parties may visit the EADSC, or check www.rafi.org.ph/youngmindsacademy to know the requirements and get a copy of the application forms. Deadline of submission is on Oct. 31.
The YMA is also supported by the City Saving Bank and UnionBank of the Philippines.