A student leader from the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) Main Campus has bagged the Zonta International's Young Women in Public Affairs (YWPA) Award 2023, besting 21 other countries all over the world.
According to the PSHS System, Rysa Antonette Ang will receive $5,000.
“Operate on passion. Let this be your guiding force,” said Ang when asked about her message to young people, especially young women, as regards leadership and volunteerism.
Representing District 17 - Quezon City, PSHS said that she bested other candidates from Zonta Clubs in 21 countries all over the world.
The YWPA recognizes young women, ages 16-19, for demonstrating leadership skills and commitment to public service and civic causes, and encourages them to continue their participation in public and political life.
On the other hand, Zonta International is a US-based global organization of more than 27,000 individuals in 1,133 Zonta clubs in 62 countries. It has successfully empowered women worldwide through service and advocacy for more than 100 years and envisions a more equal world, which drive its global and local service and advocacy efforts.
Ang graduated with Highest Honors and received the PSHS Leadership Award.
The PSHS System shared that as a student leader, Ang was an active member of the Big Brother and Sister Circle (BBSC) and eventually became its president. BBSC allowed her to help Grade 7 students get through class projects, tutorials during exam seasons, and answer questions about life at Pisay.
“Volunteerism is the act of working toward dreams that ultimately have a heart that beats for them. What’s advocacy if it isn’t fueled by a genuine passion for change, after all?” said Ang.
Ang is also a leader of Mitsa Tutoring Organization, a youth-led organization dedicated to promoting STEM-based education among elementary students in the Philippines.
For two years, Ang as Head of Logistics and Finance served as Batch Council Secretary, organizing a research symposium and preparing for their Graduation Ball as its chair.
Along with her batchmates, they were able to raise at least $8,000 to fund their graduation projects through Neverland 2021, Pisay’s first-ever online and open-access fair that included creating an original merchandise line, visual novel, and soundtrack to accompany their fair's Neverland-themed story.
Ang will take up BS Health Sciences at Ateneo de Manila University where she is one of the university's Director's List scholars.