Even a pandemic cannot stop the conduct of the 5th Jose Agaton Sibal (JAS) Teachers’ Awards for Educational Leadership and Essay Writing Contest for Grade 6 Students, which was virtually held through an online contest that started on October 5, 2020 and an awarding ceremony last December 7, 2020 via Zoom.
Hitting two birds with one stone, the goal of the JAS Awards is to recognize the writing talents of Grade 6 students from public schools of Quezon City and to honor the teachers who made impacts and good differences to the pupils’ lives through the content of their essays.
Beginning in 2016, RCQC has been making sure that they could support and uphold education and literacy through this event emphasizing the Rotary’s theme for September and the National Teachers’ Month for October.
Founded by All-Star District Governor Dwight Hilarion “Dwight” Ramos, the contest commenced in 2016 and was a component of RI District 3780’s Education and Literacy Committee event, then chaired by PP Tess Alacar Tan.
After the contest date and identifying the winning essays, RCQC follows through with an awarding of the teachers recognized by the three student placers. This is considered a club project that rises out of the essay contest.
The contest was named after Jose Agaton “Tony” Sibal, a builder, leader, and changemaker in Philippine education. “Gov Tony” is a Past District Governor of the Rotary International Quezon City, and a charter member of its mother club, RCQC.
He joined in 1960 at the age of 20, and was the youngest in his time. He is also the founder of Central Books Inc. that partners with RCQC in providing cash awards for the teachers. Indeed, he has contributed to the advancement of Philippine education.
The essay writing contest is open to all Grade 6 students who are enrolled in public schools in Quezon City. To proceed, the student must follow the contest guidelines, fill out the entry forms, and submit it to rotaryjasawards@gmail.com.
While these mechanics are from the 2020 edition, the good news is that the JAS Awards is coming again in September 2021! Grade 6 students are hereby encouraged by RCQC to always check the official JAS website https://rotaryjasawards.weebly.com/ for updates and more information.
Indeed, even a pandemic cannot stop a contest with a good cause, not just getting the contest done, but thereby creating more meaningful experiences for the students first who hone their talent in writing, to the teachers second, who receive acknowledgement and honor, and to the Rotary Club of Quezon City, its organizer that is truly committed in helping the community.