The 40th annual search for The Outstanding Students (THOS) of Bacolod City and Negros Occ. is now underway. The search is under the presidency of JCI Mem. Jonathan E. Lobaton; and the honorable councilor, JCI Sen. Wilson C. Gamboa, Jr. who is coordinator and project consultant for THOS 2009. He is always impassioned by student achievers, while this year’s project chairperson is JCI Mem. Amy Grace G. Gargar.

Deadline for submission of entries will be on February 28, 2009. The final interview of all nominees will be held on March 6, 2009 at the New Government Center (NGC), Circumferential Road, Bacolod City. The Awarding Ceremonies will be on March 10, 2009 at the Social Hall, Provincial Capitol Building, Bacolod City.

For several years, The Outstanding Students (THOS) annual search has recognized outstanding Negrenses and Bacolodnons who are considered student-achievers. It has been 40 years that the Bacolod Jaycees has undertaken the search to celebrate and acknowledge the best and the brightest students of Bacolod City and the entire Negros Occidental. Behind this initiative is the Junior Chamber International- Bacolod or Bacolod Jaycees, an organization which dedicates most of its years of existence to commend outstanding students who strive for excellence in all their undertakings, in the hope that this may inspire other student achievers.

“Our city, our country and most especially our world are in need of inspiration. The students who will qualify shall spread the seed and beam inspiration to their fellow youths. More than an award, The Outstanding Student, is a commitment; a commitment to make a difference and contaminate our world with change. This search is a venue to appreciate the students of their exemplary performance in school, not only in their academics but most especially going an extra mile by being active in co-curricular activities such as assuming leadership roles, accepting great responsibilities, involving themselves in community service, and above all, demonstrate as a good example to their fellow youth, organizers stated. This prestigious student search shall bring pride to the institutions and to the students who will qualify but apart from that, this search shall emphasize that “living with God’s approval is better than a man’s applause,” this will become a humbling experience for them. JCI - Bacolod always believes that “those who are great are humbled and those who are humble becomes great. The Jaycee thrust is to mold more leaders and discover more potentials to eventually bring about the change we want to see.*