Trinity Christian School student Ostin John Ong and St. La Salle Student Government President Philippe Jan de la Cruz  were honored Friday as the Most Outstanding High School student and Outstanding College Student, respectively, of the Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports, Cultural and Educational Association.

Dr. Rosario de Guzman, chairperson of the NOPSSCEA Educational Task Force which spearheaded the search for outstanding NOPSSCEA administrators, teachers, personnel and students, said de la Cruz and Ong were among the NOPSSCEA awardees recognized during the Teachers’ Day celebration held at the University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos Gym.

Part of the screening activities was the day-long immersion of the nominees at the Kasanag Village at Abada Escay where the students did joint activities in tree planting, home cooking, lantern making and caroling with children residing in the community.

Outstanding outreach projects were also recognized during the program.

Dr. Angeles Guinanao, head of the NOPSSCEA Outreach Task Force said the top winners are Colegio de San Agustin – Bacolod for the high school level and UNO-Recoletos for the tertiary level.

Riverside College was chosen first runner-up while West Negros University and John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation – Bacolod, Inc. share the second runner-up award.

The outreach coordinators of the winning programs are Ma. Elena Doruelo (UNO-R), Ma. Lourdes Paglomutan (CSA-B), Janet Villanueva  (Riverside College, Sharon Pepito (WNU) and Joemil Galve (JBLCF).

Dr. de Guzman said the panel of judges for the CETF-initiated competition was composed of (for school administrators and teacher categories) Councilor Jocelle Batapa, media man Modesto Sa-onoy and Dr. Isabelita Perigua of the Department of Education and Jean Chan of the CHED Regional Office, Fr. Edmund Ma. Galicia, rector of the Marian Missionaries of the Holy Cross, and television personality Carmela Gamboa.