“Youth are not only leaders of tomorrow, but the partners of today”
A 16-year-old high school student, Judy Lizardo Lisayen is a believer and a living proof of this maxim that young as he is, he has received awards for his dedication and commitment as a youth leader.
Judy is the 6th child among the 8 children of spouses Vicente and Conchita Lisayen of Paco, Mankayan, Benguet. Being a leader is innate to this child. He started serving as a student leader as an elementary student thus giving him the Scout of the Year award and a leadership award. This passion for service continued as he entered the gates of Lepanto National High School. A good student leader should also be a model of academic performance. Judy has been a consistent honor student from Grade 7 to Grade 10. He believes that to best influence peers in the community, one must start with academic performance.
In school, Judy is just someone who is in school, CAT or Boy Scout uniform running along the corridors with things in his hands or on his back. He enjoys what he does so he joined and occupied major positions in the different school organizations as he was qualified for these. He was chosen as the Council Scout Representative for Boy Scouting, Benguet Council, president of the School Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (SDRRMC), president of School Emergency Response Team (SERT), and Major S1 of the Citizenship Advancement Training (CAT).
In class, students are taught that public governance is a shared responsibility. It is not only the work of people in office but also a duty of all citizens. This learning drives this young person to discover more his leadership skills to serve in the community. His heart to service is undeniable that he was voted as president of the Barangay Youth Task Force of barangay Paco.
This group aims to encourage the youth to know their roles and act appropriately. Some of their activities include Disaster Preparedness, Adolescent Youth and Health Program, Cultural and Traditional Practices Preservation, Environmental Protection and Sports and Youth Development. Leading such group requires someone’s commitment, hard work, and honesty.
Balancing his responsibilities in school, in the community and family takes so much sacrifice. However, his personality and faith in the Almighty make him a stronger person. Aside from being an active student leader, he sees the value of building one’s faith. This is shown in his lifestyle. Somebody will not see him as a strict leader, but a friend who helps, respects and inspires.
His active involvement and great contribution to school and community programs made him a recipient of these outstanding awards; Junior Chamber International Leadership Excellence Award, Gerry Roxas Leadership Award and Scout of the Year Award for the School Year 2016-2017.
When asked about his motivation, he simply said, “I want to be a catalyst of that change and hope that Dr. Jose Rizal said.”
The world is changing, issues of the youth are increasing in number. How could this be solved? A voice and act should come from the youth themselves. If nobody will, stand who else will?
A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way. – John Maxwell
By CHERRY ANN S. BAYANES
