An #NSPC2018 story

From believers to achievers

The National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) is the annual national campus journalism competition for elementary and secondary students. It is referred to as the “Olympics of Campus Journalism” where regional winners vie for top spots in various journalism and broadcasting categories. This year’s conference was held in Dumaguete City on Feb. 19 to 23.

You don’t have to be phenomenal to achieve a phenomenal feat. Our life is an unwritten book. As we write it day by day, we need to be the star of our own story. As we travel the pages, it is our failures, pains, hard work and perseverance that make our story worth telling.

Debacle. The road to success has never been easier. Campus journalism first opened its book cover for our Feature Writing champion when he was in Grade 4. He first participated in Photojournalism and that was also the first time he encountered defeat. He actually didn’t mind it much because he was too young then, but he told himself to try again next time.

Distress. As his coach, I told him to participate in Feature Writing. I believed that he possessed the skills to write and had a big chance of winning. Even in doubt, he said yes. He grabbed 7th place in the District level but failed again in the EDDIS Level. The failure did not stop him from pushing him to do better.

Determination. In journalism, the talent to write is never enough. You should have a valiant heart, mind and soul to complete the elements of your masterpiece. This year, he gathered all the strength and unwavering power of positivity that this time he made it to the nationals. But it looked like the plot of his story did not agree with him at first. He ranked third in the District Press Conference and 8th in EDDIS, which means that his best wasn’t quite good enough.

It’s a tough battle but with faith and persistence, we trained – and tried – harder. No holidays, no rest even on  Saturdays or Sundays, we only had training days. We inked every lesson and this produced good results.

He dominated both the Division and Regional Level and earned the ticket to the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) held last Feb. 19-23, 2018 in Dumaguete City.

Qualifying for NSPC and representing Region III felt so magical and overwhelming but the pressure mounted at the same time. Determination outweighed the pressure, however. We were hungry for a national win and we wanted to leave behind an inspiration to our town.

Though we grabbed 1st place in the Regional Schools Press Conference, we didn’t want to be complacent. We continued to persevere; we buckled up and poured everything into months of laborious training. No room for exhaustion, only room for improvements. We defied our limits.

As coaches, we must teach, help, love, motivate and believe in the skills of our students. We learn with them and support them to build the mission and advocacy to inspire and educate others through their words. Dream with them and be their stepping stone to chase the dream and make it real.

Inklings

All we have is a dream that heroes can’t dream about.

I am just a child hoping to leave an inspiring mark in the history of our community. I failed many times but the fiascos that failed to let me down were just part of the process. They were heart-ripping but they taught me to pick up the pieces and put myself back on track. All the pain and sacrifices were worth it for they shaped me to become who I am today. With the encouragement of my coach, my motivator and my life changer, I was hailed as the champion.

Campus journalism showed me something that cannot be taught inside the four walls of a classroom; one that  cannot be measured by medals, awards or any recognition. Laurels are merely bonuses; nevertheless I’m thankful that I achieved them.

No matter how much sweat, blood and tears I shed, I am more than willing to learn and be the megaphone of my fellow youth. Winning is just a dream for me and it came true.

To all young journalists, congratulations, we all made it! Yes, our journey could hurt us but we can choose either to run from it or to learn from it. As our legendary feature writing trainer Sir Rupert Laxamana, or Kuya Pots, once uttered, “Huwag magsawang magbasa at magsulat. Tandaan na nagsisimula ang lahat sa pangarap. Mangarap ka ng mas malaki pa sa pangarap ng iba”.

All we have is a dream that heroes can’t dream about. Dream on and make it happen for you. You don’t have to be phenomenal to achieve a phenomenal feat.

I may have emerged as this year’s Feature Writing-English champion, but I know this is just the beginning of my journey.

This is our JOURNey.