Amid the swampy environment of tall grasses, one hears the occasional shrill chirping of migratory birds and the sporadic moos of carabaos lazily munching their midday snacks in the muddy pool. 

This was the scenario that welcomes anyone to the STEFTI High School Building which is now called Campus 2. Boring as it may sound, this newly-constructed building which housed the pioneering batch of high school graduates isn’t at all dismal as one thinks. On a typical day, one sees them fully engaged in discussions about apartheid policy in South Africa, or busily solving the complicated Trigonometric equations of Sir Pastor or just merely bantering around in lively animated conversations.

Megan Alexandra Cariaso, Class Valedictorian, was one of these students.  Recalling the memories she had back then, she said that if there was one aspect that was the most compelling during that time it was in the classroom.

“I loved studying—I still do. I craved the joy of learning, and in a sense, I was absolutely addicted to studying. I am  very grateful for all my teachers in STEFTI. They are, without a doubt, effective and inspiring teachers who made a student such as me treat challenging homework as fun to do and recitations as exhilarating and rewarding. 

I enjoyed every aspect of my STEFTI experience, from being in the classrooms, to joining contests and competitions to represent my school, to being part of the Student Government, the Herald Tribune, the STEFTI Debaters Guild, the Badminton Team, and perhaps some others that slip my mind now. “

Home Away from Home

After graduating from high school in 2010, she went off to Silliman  University in Dumaguete City to study Psychology, for her Bachelor’s Degree. There she was involved in several extra-curricular activities and was part of the Student Government for three years. She graduated with Class Honors and in the Dean’s List and was one of the Top 10 Most Outstanding Students of the Year of the College of Arts and Sciences.  During these years, her family had to migrate and settle in the city with her. She learned to adjust to the new environment, spoke the dialect which she found challenging at first, and eventually adapted all that was in this place she called her new home. 

Home Outside Home

After graduating from college, she found herself into everything she thought she could never do.  She volunteered to be part of a non-government organization, took up law and in August of 2017, under a full tuition scholarship, she flew to Tokyo, Japan to study for her Master’s Degree in Global Environmental Studies at Sophia University. Then for her Master’s Thesis she flew to Canada to do research which earned her an A grade for that.  She graduated top of her class as the Department Valedictorian and the Graduate School’s  Student Representative. She adds:

“In Japan, Student Representatives are students who achieved the  highest grade in the graduate school or department to which they belong. During graduation,  these Student Representatives go up the stage to receive diplomas on behalf of the whole department.”

After graduating from Sophia, she undertook an internship for the Chesapeake Bay  Foundation under Dr. Joseph Wood, in Richmond, Virginia, USA, where she is currently at.  She  attributes all strength and joy and achievements to the glory of God alone, and because of this, she always finds a home outside home.

Home Is Where the Heart Is

After finishing her internship, she got married to a wonderful man, Eric, in Richmond and had been enjoying her days as a homemaker, and now, as an expectant mom.

“STEFTI taught me things that went beyond any of the accolades I have received in the past. My experiences in STEFTI prepared  me for maturity. I’ve learned to work hard, and to work hard passionately. I’ve learned to  not settle for mediocrity in anything I do, for essentially “Whatever you do in word or deed,  do everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father”  (Colossians 3:17).

Megan Alexandra Cariaso-Lansing, Valedictorian, STEFTI HS Batch 2010 Silliman University, Top 10 Most Outstanding Students, College of Arts & Sciences
Sophia University Department Valedictorian and the Graduate School’s  Student Representative

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I’ve learned to explore and be adventurous in the fields of study and  interests that I had the potential for. STEFTI taught me to not be afraid to fail but be willing  to grow through failures and work toward improvement. All these things which I’ve learned,  I’ve been applying—-and re-learning to apply—-in marriage. I find that these precious learning  experiences would be especially profitable in preparation for motherhood. The beauty of  being a homemaker is seen in the fruits of the character.  I was able to take with me the personality I developed, onto many places  after High School and throughout the chapters of my life. I saw that regardless of the nature of the work or experience, what I learned from STEFTI is timeless and relevant. All these led me to where I am now, to where my heart is. My Home.