Stability is the foundation of a
well-lived life. With basic needs fulfilled, people have the opportunity to
develop themselves, explore various facets of life, and contribute to the
welfare of the community.
When aspiring youth, especially
those from low-income households, are given the chance to stand on solid
ground, they readily take the chance. They utilize it as a seedbed where they
can cultivate their dreams and aspirations.
One testament to this is SM scholar
alumna Jonnah Jane Sacamay, who grew up in a family where stability seemed like
an uncharted territory. Years back, Jonnah’s family’s main source of living was
flower farming. This made them walk on a thin line as the demand for flowers
was seasonal, and they were also often affected by unpredictable weather
disturbances.
But while they had journeyed through
life with uncertainty, they had always planted in her mind the power of
education.
“Given that the nature of farming is
very seasonal, our income is not stable. Aside from augmenting our daily needs,
we also had to ensure that my education is secured,” Jonnah recalled.
Holding
on to the power of education
And so, to help her family, she
studied hard in grade school as soon as she learned about others who had the
opportunity to pursue college through the SM College Scholarship Program. With
her whole heart dedicated to learning and her eyes set on the SM scholarship,
she finished high school as the class valedictorian. Once the forms were
available, she immediately processed her application at the SM Store in Cebu.
“I was informed that I got accepted
as an SM Scholar. From then on, a huge weight was lifted off my parents'
shoulders. I could pursue my chosen degree in my chosen university,” she added.
Through the scholarship offered by
the SM group through SM Foundation, she was able to focus on the development of
her skills and knowledge not only in accountancy but especially in life. She
became a Magna Cum Laude graduate of BS Accountancy at the University of San
Carlos.
Jonnah
(center) with her parents during her graduation
“The SM Scholarship helped me reach
my dream of becoming a CPA, and this opened doors for me, enabling me to land a
job that empowered me to help my family,” she said.
“My experience in retail has given
me wide knowledge in different areas. With this, I always make sure that my
family makes informed decisions in all aspects of life. One thing that has
become a tradition among SM Cebu scholars during my time was to have an
outreach program. In our own way, we were able to pay forward the help that we
received from SM. It was a fulfilling experience that we could share our
blessings in our own little way,” she added.
Jonnah currently serves as a Senior
Accounting Manager at the SM Store, Cebu. Aside from financial security, she
currently takes care of her parents’ medical expenses and lets them enjoy
vibrant life experiences after retiring as flower farmers.
Jonnah Sacamay serves as a Senior Accounting Manager at the SM Store in Cebu.
“Having a degree enabled me and my
family to experience more in life. It paved the way for me to secure a stable
job, which allowed me to travel, treat my family to a nice meal, take them
shopping on special occasions, and most importantly, support my parents and
their medical expenses. Aside from providing me with a scholarship grant,
working in SM has provided a sense of security for me and my family,” she
shared.
Opening
doors to more
For the school year 2023-2024, the
application period is open from February 1-March 31, 2023. The selected
scholars may specialize in accounting, information technology, engineering, and
education with full tuition and monthly allowance, including enrichment
programs and activities.
For
more information about the SM College Scholarship program, visit https://www.sm-foundation.org/what_we_do/college-scholarship-program.
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