GOVPH

Quezon Science High School student-journalist shortlisted for Global Student Prize 2021, pays courtesy visit to OIC-SDS Alicaya

 Quezon Science High School—Ancelmo Catalla, a Grade 12 (STEM) student, brought pride to the Schools Division of Quezon for becoming one of the 50 finalists chosen among thousands of student-achievers around the world who have made notable contributions on various fields of interest.

As for Ancelmo, journalism has been his advocacy since elementary grades, though he sees himself as a lawyer someday. Being the Editor-in-Chief of the school paper “The Velocity”, he wants to become the voice of the youth and a champion of press freedom. It is not unbelievable he was able to release the first issue of a newsletter publication called the “Redshift”; it contained brave youth writings on press freedom, student artworks, and opinion articles, among others.

Besides his academic achievements, he also excels in social entrepreneurship. Ancelmo helped design the ACRISIUS machine (Activated Charcoal Chelation Reservoir for Industrial and Sewage Wastewater Initialized Using Sensor) which filters wastewater for communities with unsafe water sources. He also helped design the digital prototype of CABIN – a smart garbage bin that eliminates physical contact through the use of sensors and ultraviolet (UV) light to disinfect waste, like face masks.

Ancelmo, together with his mother, other school representatives, and school head Dr. Carla Marie Carandang, paid a courtesy visit to OIC-Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Elias Alicaya Jr. on Wednesday, October 13.

Alicaya said that DepEd Quezon gives its full support for Ancelmo’s further success in the competition. The OIC-SDS encouraged and reminded him on the importance of maintaining balance between personal and academic life. He added that Ancelmo should surrender his heart’s desire to God and let His hands do the rest.

The said global tilt of young changemakers is awarded by Varkey Foundation, in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and chegg.org. The announcement of overall winners will happen in Paris in November 2021.

In case he wins, Ancelmo plans to set up mini-libraries in remote areas in the country and to fund schools that cater to children with special needs.