Three Cebu Normal University (CNU) graduates secured the top spot in the 2024 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT).
Nomel Alyssa Andan and Mary Eloisa Fullo excelled at the elementary level with a 94 percent rating, while Lara Montebon Tero led the secondary level with a 94.60% rating.
They are among the 40 Cebu graduates, with 29 coming from CNU, who made it to the top 10 in the September 2024 LEPT, whose results came out Friday, Dec. 13.
Andan, a 23-year-old Summa Cum Laude from Ronda town, southwestern Cebu, said her passion to build a strong foundation for young learners guided her journey to success.
“It’s crucial that children are given a strong foundation in their early years, as it serves as the base from which all future learning and success can grow,” she said in an online interview on Saturday, Dec. 14.
“This is one of the main reasons I chose to pursue a career in elementary education—to help address this need,” Andan said. She shared that witnessing the transformative impact of education through her parents, both school principals in Ronda, and her DayCare teachers, deeply inspired her journey.
In a press conference at CNU on Saturday, Dec. 14, CNU president Daniel Ariaso announced that the topnotchers will receive cash incentives: P50,000 for the top 1, P30,000 each for those ranking 2 to 5, and P20,000 each for those ranking 6 to 10. It is set to be released before Christmas.
Prayers, hard work
In reflecting on her journey, Andan learned to pray for things that felt out of reach, including the top one in LEPT, which for her seemed impossible but was made possible with prayers and hard work.
“Yes, I truly prayed and manifested being in the Top 10, but God gave me even more than I asked for,” she added.
While waiting for the exam results, Andan faced uncertainty, feeling adrift as she struggled to find a job.
“I’m currently weighing the job opportunities that have come my way. It’s amazing to think that just months ago, I felt lost and unsure because I couldn’t find a job. Now, I have so many opportunities ahead of me,” Andan said.
Recalling her college years, Andan said she prayed to graduate as a Summa Cum Laude, a goal she once thought was “almost impossible given my average at the time.”
“But God heard my prayer and blessed me with the top spot of my batch,” she said. That experience taught her to pray for what seemed out of reach and to trust in achieving the seemingly impossible.
“I believe that when you pray and manifest with a sincere heart, combined with hard work and dedication, God will guide you to where you need to be. It’s a reminder that sometimes what we receive is far greater than what we expect when we trust in His plan,” she added.
Biggest challenge
One of Andan’s biggest challenges while preparing for the board exam was the realization that she was competing against many highly intelligent candidates.
Feeling like an average reviewee, she knew she had to put in extra effort. To prepare, Andan created thousands of flashcards to memorize concepts, practiced answering 500 to 1,000 LEPT exam questions daily, and even refined her shading techniques to efficiently manage time during the actual exam.
“Every day, I practiced answering 500 to 1,000 LEPT exam questions and even worked on shading, so I could estimate the time I’d have during the actual exam. It wasn’t easy, but I was determined to give it my all,” Andan said.
Preparing for the board exam required more than prayer and dedication; it also demanded significant sacrifices from Andan.
She said one of the biggest adjustments she made was cutting her usual eight-hour sleep down to five hours to maximize study time. She also spent three to four months away from her family to focus intensively on her study.
“It honestly feels like I’m still dreaming. Out of thousands of takers, my name is on the list of topnotchers. I’m beyond grateful to God for guiding me throughout this journey. I also want to thank my amazing support system—my family, friends, teachers, classmates, and all my loved ones,” she said.
Andan offers thoughtful advice to future exam takers, emphasizing the importance of maintaining balance.
“It’s crucial to find balance and avoid burnout,” she said, acknowledging the intense demands of exam preparation.
“Always seek guidance from God, as He hears every prayer, no matter how big or small. With faith, hard work, and dedication, success will follow,” she added.
Meanwhile, Andan shared her plans and aspirations after reaching this significant milestone. “I plan to pursue a Master’s Degree in Educational Management at Cebu Normal University,” she said.
