Teen Spotlight: Esa Gancayco

name: Teresa (Esa) Gancayco

stats:

17, Senior at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School

notable:

• A Honor Roll
• President’s List Award (9th, 10th, 11th grade)
• Most Outstanding Student Award (9th, 10th, 11th grade)
• Awarded the Tom Doyle Scholarship for Math and Science
• Received various Departmental Awards

quotable:

“Live in the present and not dwell on the past or try to worry about the future.”

her story:

When asked what she enjoys most about attending Montgomery Catholic, Esa shared, “My favorite thing about my school is the people there. I love the teachers, and the friendships I have made with some of my classmates are very special tome.” At her school, Esa is involved in Key Club, drama club, Youth Legislature, National Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta Society and Cyber Patriots. She also works as a hostess/cashier at a restaurant called Las Casitas and its sister restaurant, Tia’s Cantina. She also participated in the Science Olympiad where she placed third in Ornithology. She advises incoming high school freshmen to “not procrastinate with the things you want to do and try in high school, such as sports and school events, because these four years go by way faster than one may think.”

what’s next:

Esa shared that she wants to become a dermatologist when she grows up. Her hobby is doing makeup which has led her to an obsession with skincare and an interest in becoming a dermatologist.

PG (parental guidance) rating:

She shared “What makes me proud is the way that my family supports each other in every possible scenario and works so hard to make each other happy. The best advice I have received from anyone is from my mother. It is probably the most common phrase, but it is to always try your best.”

parents’ perspective:

Esa’s parents, Elizabeth and Vince Gancayco, shared, “She is a hard worker, and it all stems from her personality. Even way back in elementary, teachers would remark that she, along with her academic prowess, is a hard working individual. This extra effort has even been carried outside of school, for example, her care for the family business. She is a considerate, fair, and humble young lady.”

parent-to-parent:

Elizabeth and Vince had this advice for other parents, “Show them love, no matter what point they are at in life. Give them honesty, even if it means that you have to tell them that they messed up.”