A 19-year-old Filipina studying in New Zealand has achieved remarkable success, earning the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award and being named overall national champion in an international speech competition.

Micah Escala, a Filipina student at Verdon College in New Zealand, was named in August the overall national champion in the Lions International Speech Competition, recognized for her exceptional speaking skills, confidence, and message.

She also earned the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award, which recognizes young people who set personal goals and complete challenges in service, physical activity, skills development, and an outdoor expeditions.

“I earned mine by consistently working on long-term skill-building, learning the Māori language, folk dancing, volunteering, and swimming and tramping hundreds of kilometers throughout New Zealand's South Island region,” Escala said in an interview with the Manila Bulletin.

Escala likewise received a Blues Award for Academics, rooted in the traditional “Blues” system of Oxford and Cambridge, which honors exceptional academic achievement.

“I received my Academic Blues Awards in recognition of my grades and consistent effort throughout the school year, receiving a total of 101 all-excellence-graded internal standards. Excellence being the highest level of attainable grade in the NCEA system,” she added.

She graduated as valedictorian of her class, receiving six trophies in recognition of her outstanding academic performance, leadership, and dedication throughout her senior year.

Her six trophies were for public speaking, senior debating, first in geography class, first in history class, the Way of Dominic Trophy, and the Dux Trophy. The Dux is the equivalent of valedictorian in the Philippines and is accompanied by a medal engraved with her name.

She was also elected as a prefect, a student leadership role, despite having studied in New Zealand for only a couple of years.

Escala encouraged young teens like her to never be afraid to take up space and to be unapologetically themselves in their pursuit of knowledge.

“Having spent most of my academic life in the Philippines before moving to New Zealand just two years ago, I know firsthand what it means to step out of your comfort zone. So take up space in that classroom, even when it feels intimidating,” she stated.

“Ask those questions, share your perspective, and remember that every time you do, you're not just learning, you're paving the way for others who feel just as uncertain as you once did,” she added.

She also reminded them to make the most of every opportunity to learn, as not everyone is given the chance to study.

“And remember that you are in the classroom on behalf of those who cannot. Huwag lang basta mag-aral, kundi mag-aral nang mabuti, nang maigi, nang may sikap at pagpapahalaga sa bawat oportunidad (Do not just study for the sake of it, study well, study diligently, and value every opportunity you are given).”

“What I stick to the most throughout my academic life is God, Guts, Grit and Grind. Faith grounds me, courage pushes me forward, perseverance keeps me going, and hard work makes it all possible,” she added.

Escala plans to begin her Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts degrees at the University of Otago next year.