Midnight Grit, Sunrise Hues
“We can start over, again and again.”
Driven by pure grit through the midnight hours and guided by perseverance into the sunrise, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) graduate Hannah Lei Angeles triumphed over yesterday’s unforeseen struggles to claim today’s stepping stones to success.
Before she secured her spot in the graduating class, she described a “dramatic turn of events” marked her road to commencement.
“During the final defense, the Wi-Fi signal wasn’t really cooperating, and then there was even an unprecedented brownout. The next thing, I was already in tears when we were told we had to take a re-defense… The week that followed, my laptop charger overheated, so I had to get a replacement. I was pulling all-nighters, prioritizing task delegation, and everything in-between,” Angeles recalled.
The graduate also looked back at her transition from a freshman who prioritized sleeping early to a graduate capable of pulling all-nighters. When demanding school requirements pushed her to stay up late, Angeles didn't resort to taking coffee. Instead, those late nights were “fueled by raw grit and passion.”
As midnight blends into morning, Angeles’ early-bird routine includes watching the sunrise overlooking the school canteen. For her, the sunrise became a symbol of grace, offering the chance to start anew from the struggles left behind.
“The concept of having a new day to look forward to, in my opinion, is as vulnerable and as humane as things can get. Sometimes we find ourselves stuck in moments we deem unbearable or embarrassing, and yet thinking that time will soon pass and help you heal is just what you need. We can start over, again and again,” Angeles said.
Leaving behind the grueling cycle of late nights and early mornings, Angeles reflected on her journey with a reminder that character is what truly endures through adversity, and that enduring character is forged by effort and values into pursuing success.
“Over time, I learned that outcomes come and go, but the values, lessons, and character you build along the way stay with you. Focus on doing your best, being honest with yourself and others, and let the results follow. While we cannot always control the outcome, we can control the effort we put in and the values we choose to uphold,” she shared.