Starting the Journey to College with Pathways Batch 20

Our Pathways Batch 20 concluded their month-long College Jumpstart last 11 July 2024 but the journey to having these 53 incoming 12th graders join our Pathways family started as early as January this year.

On 17 January we were joined by our teacher coordinators, principals, and friends from the Department of Education (DepEd) and the local government of Marikina, Quezon City, and San Mateo, Rizal for our Recruitment Orientation. This launched our recruitment for the year.

And by 9 June we welcomed 53 students during the Pathways Orientation Seminar (OrSem). In ORSEM, we talked about what we do in Pathways that will help them get ready for the ever-changing world. On top of that, we also shared about the perks of joining the program such as access to our network of alumni and merit-based incentives. Batch 20 even got a peek into their month-long college preparations which started the very next day!

Preparing for college applications

For the next month, Batch 20 joined us on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays for lesson-packed sessions. Our partner, LSC, helped them review for the Math and Science portions of the College Entrance Tests (CETs) in the mornings. Science tutor Ramon Reyes and Math tutor Albert Siton– one of our own Pathways alums from Batch 13!– facilitated lectures and discussions that hopefully made their lessons more understandable.

They spent their afternoons in Homeroom and English Grammar Classes with their Ate and Kuya Volunteers. As they bonded with their Ates and Kuyas, they also learned a bit more about Pathways’ values and got a peek into our bigger community. Our volunteers also shared test-taking tips and tips for time and stress management. 

Meanwhile, their Ates and Kuyas from their English Grammar Classes joined them as they reviewed the rules of the English language. Together, they fostered the space to learn to express themselves in English without judgement.

On the Saturdays from 15 to 29 June Batch 20 took half-day sessions for their Essay Writing Workshop. Headed by Ateneo Senior High School creative writing teacher and long-time volunteer, Chris Lacdao, students reflected on their personal experiences and formed them into essays for their college and scholarship application. Alongside Chris, we had volunteers–both familiar and first-time– join us as Essay Writing coaches to give individualized feedback on each of the students’ essays.

Over the sessions, they were able to write, review, and revise their essays with the help of peer-reading and coaching. Each coach eventually picked an essay as their group’s Best Revised Essays and Chris picked two essays to be shared with the batch.

We were fortunate to also have students undergo the Harrison Assessment which allowed them greater insight into where their career interests may lie. Through our friends at the Del Rosario Consultancy, Batch 20 joined consultants in learning more on what the assessment says about their personality and interests, from what careers might interest them and what their work style might be.

Getting to know Ateneo

Our friends from the Office of Admission and Aid (OAA) gave our Batch 20 a warm welcome into Ateneo’s campus. With some of their Ateneo scholars, our students had the chance to tour the storied university, learn a bit of Ateneo history, and get familiar with the venues of their future Pathways events. 

OAA's Arianne Aleta and Louie Julian also shared about the program offerings and opportunities in Ateneo. Among the opportunities he discussed were the scholarships offered by the University which students can apply for and enjoy– of course, earned through their own hard work in an application separate from Pathways.

On 6 July we had the unique opportunity to view the Ateneo Art Gallery’s (AAG) permanent and temporary exhibitions. Along with some of their homeroom advisers and tutors, they caught the second to the last day of the installation Void of Spectacles: Reflections on Passages Through Time and History by Mark Orozco Justiniani where they were amazed by the illusions.

Gokongwei Brothers School of Education and Learning Design, our home institution in Ateneo, held an information session on BS Learning Science and Design especially for us. Fr Francis D. Alvarez, SJ drove home the importance of learning about learning. Batch 20 was also introduced to the importance of learning in and beyond formal education, especially in our ever-changing world.

Closing the jam-packed “summer”

After a lesson-filled month, we wound down with a picnic to celebrate the month we shared. The three sections P, H, and E (each named after our initials!) reflected on their journey so far and shared these in performances and skits. We really saw a showcase of their skills beyond the classroom too! 

We also took the time to recognize our Best Revised Essays. They each received one copy of Ines Bautista-Yao’s books, either a copy of My Lola’s Love Letters or When Sparks Fly. Through Ines’ gifts to them, we reminded the group that reading nurtures writing.

And over snacks, we took the time to draw the “summer” to a close as we reminisced what was just the beginning of their Pathways journey. Through our volunteers, tutors, friends, and partners, we were able to make yet another lesson-filled and impactful experience for our Pathways 12th graders!

After a month of getting ready for college applications and making friends from other schools, we know that this “summer” is just the beginning of the journey towards your futures. We’re excited to continue this journey with you. Good luck, Batch 20!

We would like to take this opportunity to recognize the people who made our “summer” memorable:

Our friends within Ateneo:
Ateneo Art Gallery, particularly Ms. Elle Lucena
Central Facilities Management Office (CFMO)
Campus Safety and Mobility Office (CSMO)
Gawad Kalinga (GK) - Ateneo, specifically for lending us their Conference room for our Basic Facilitation Training last 2 July 2024
Gokongwei Brothers School of Education and Learning Design (GSBEALD), particularly Fr. Francis D. Alvarez and Ms. Dinz Dolor
Office of Admission and Aid (OAA), particularly Ms. Arianne Aleta and Sir Louie Julian

Our partners and donors:
Loyola Student Center, particularly Sir Jun, Ms. Judy, Ms. Joan, and Sir Ramon
Del Rosario Consulting, particularly Ms. Tammy Bejar, Ms. Jem Cachola, Ms. Faith Lumabas-Lee, and Ms. Karen Fonacier.
Ines Bautista-Yao 

Our volunteers:
Review Classes Logistics
Anj Atillano
Kristel Mangarin
Yuan Marquez
Pat Sicabalo

Review Classes Tutors
Daniel Benito
JD Castro
Albert Siton
Nhoriel Toledo

Lead Essay Writing Coach
Chris Lacdao

Essay Writing Coaches
Dyanne Abobo
Irish Adante
Pat Carbungco
Kryz Dequito
Therese Donato
Ave Dumo
Joan Dumo
Sofia Trinidad Echavez
Karen Garcia
Niña Pacheco
Leah Sosa
Leana Vibal

Homeroom Advisers
RP Baldevino
Maphi Boncodin
Charms Carcueva
Brit Edubas
Yvette Gabumpa
Rina Janaban
Alexa Reyes
Willy Santos
Pat Valentin
Rich Yap

English Grammar Tutors
Aenea Cabillos
Carla Cañero
Jamie Capco
Jerome Dela Cruz
Chloe Estanislao
Miggy Germar
Glen Mario
Dustin Siman

Special English Session Lead
Krisha Cagunot

Special English Session Volunteer
Joshua Tirana

Harrison Assessment Group Debriefing Zoom Tech Assistants
Therese Donato
Kristel Mangarin
Willy Santos

Volunteer Care Unit Members
Mariah Agoncillo
Jacques Borral
Chloe Estanislao
Ely Lazarte
Kristel Mangarin
Yuan Marquez
Lovely Mata
Rei Pepito
Cath Rosal
Chichi San Jose

Volunteer Care Unit Volunteers
Daniel Benito (co-moderator)
Jeremy Gusi (Volunteer OrSem host)