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By: Tony A. San Juan, OCT Retired
Purposefully committed to encouraging and challenging Filipino-Canadian students in Ontario to excel in school performance and achieve student success, the Filipino Centre Toronto (FCT) is now accepting candidates for its annual competition for the "2022 Outstanding Students Awards". FCT, established in 1999, is a registered not-for-profit, community-based and volunteer run organization in the province.
The FCT-Rosalinda C. Javier Outstanding Students Awards (RCJOSA) event, which started in 2005, is an annual program for selecting and recognizing outstanding and exemplary elementary, high school, and post-secondary graduates from Public, Catholic, and other government-supported educational institutions in Ontario.
Through its Outstanding Students Awards Committee (OSA), the Centre will present awards to chosen outstanding student graduates who have completed their elementary or high school or post-secondary studies. The selection criteria include 1) scholastic achievement/academic marks – 50%, 2) community involvement, and extra-curricular activities – 30%, and 3) interview performance – 20%.
All applicants, who have been screened and approved by the Outstanding Student Awards Committee, will be recognized and honoured appropriately in a ceremony. Monetary awards, trophies, plaques, and certificates will be presented to the winners and/or nominees of each category.
The overall requirements for the 2022 FCT-RCJ Outstanding Student Award Competition are as follows:
A. General Requirements for All Categories: Any applicant or candidate for an FCT Award must be a
1) Natural-born Filipino or of Filipino descent (either parent is Filipino)
2) Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada
3) Of the good moral and exemplary character, i.e. has no pending charge involving sexual or child abuse or criminal case.
B. Specific Requirements for Elementary and High School Graduates. To qualify:
1) The applicant should be currently registered in the secondary school or college in Ontario, under one of the following categories: The elementary school applicant should have completed Grade 8 in June 2022, and be going into high school (grade 9); The high school applicant should have completed Grade 12 in June 2022 and be accepted and going into university or community college or apprenticeship program.
2) The student should have a minimum academic average of 85% (or equivalent) during the last two (2) school years (Grades 7 & 8) or (Grades 11 & 12) and must be involved in extra-curricular and community/volunteer activities.
3) The applicant must submit the following documents: For the elementary school graduate – Original copies of final report cards for the last two years.
For the high school graduate – A current and original transcript bearing the school’s official seal.
Additionally, two (2) original letters of character reference*, two (2) passport-size photos, and a completed FCT application form.
*We highly encourage you to have at least one letter of character reference from somone from the applicant's school, but will understand if this is not possible in light of the summer holidays.
C. Qualification Requirements for Post- Secondary Honour Candidates:
1) For Undergraduate or Baccalaureate Degree candidates: Must have achieved Academic Honours, with Notation printed in the candidate’s degree diploma, such as any of the following: "Summa Cum Laude" or "Magna Cum Laude" or "Cum Laude" or "With Highest Distinction" (GPA 3.8 or higher) or "With Distinction" (3.5 to 3.79) or "First-Class Standing" or other university/college equivalent academic honours distinction awards.
2) For candidates with Masteral or Doctoral degree: Must have achieved Graduate Average Grade of Letter Grades of A+, A, A- only; or Numerical Marks of 90-100%, 85-89%, 80 -84% only; or High Pass-Clear Excellence or acceptable equivalent marking scale.
3) Documents (Photocopies only) to be submitted: a) Undergraduate program: Bachelor’s Diploma with Academic Honours Notation; b) Graduate program: Transcript of Academic Record or Master's/ Doctorate diploma
4) Passport-size Photo
5) Completed "FCT Application Form". Academic awards received must not be more than 5 years old, from the date of application.
The members of the FCT-RCJ Outstanding Students Awards Committee (OSA) include notable Filipino Canadian professionals and educators composed of Jodelyn Huang (TCDSB Community Relations Officer), Steve Pagao (Philippine Chamber of Commerce-Toronto President), Mary Ann S. San Juan (Filipino Centre Toronto President/CEO), Fermer Santos (TDSB High School Vice-Principal), Rose Tijam (Philippine Press Club-Ontario President) and Tony A. San Juan, (Filipino Heritage Council of Canada Founder) as Chairman. Application forms for the FCT’s Outstanding Students Awards are now available at FCT. Download form below or call 416-335-0485. The Deadline for submission of forms and documents is August 15, 2022, Monday. Personal interviews will begin on September 6, 2022, Tuesday. Completed forms and requirements are to be submitted or mailed to The Filipino Centre Toronto, RCJ OSA Committee, c/o Tony A. San Juan, Chairman, 4395 Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto, ON M1S 1T9 (TSJ).
