Written by Roselle Aniceto
From University of Baguio Science High School Alumna to Top-Performing Registered Nurse
Vi-ann Gwyneth Lachica Ragasa, a proud graduate of University of Baguio Science High School in 2021, has achieved remarkable success by securing Rank 5 in the November 2025 Nurses Licensure Exams from Saint Louis University. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2025, Vi-ann exemplifies how Science High’s rigorous foundation propels alumni toward excellence in demanding fields like nursing. Her journey highlights the school’s enduring impact on leadership, discipline, and holistic growth.
Reflecting on her high school years, Vi-ann cherishes the countless group projects that applied classroom concepts, fostering teamwork, leadership, and lasting friendships. “From following instructions to leading my group when everyone was hesitant, these experiences shaped me to who I am today,” she shares. Beyond academics, Science High emphasized balance through extracurriculars like Cantata, YDT Sportsfest, and Great Minds Meet. As former voice coordinator for Cantata and Purple Team Leader for Sportsfest, she learned to juggle leadership and studies—skills vital for nursing’s dual academic and clinical demands.
Science High’s traditions profoundly influence Vi-ann’s outlook. The slogan “Verbum sat sapienti” (“One word is enough for the wise”) instilled mindfulness of instructions and discipline, essential in life-or-death patient care. Morning devotions reinforced her faith, providing gratitude and comfort during challenges. The culture of respect to all extends to her interactions with preceptors and patients, blending school values with workplace tact.
Unique traditions like the Manong/Manang/Ading naming convention and nodding acknowledgments persist, creating instant camaraderie with fellow alumni in malls, parks, or anywhere. “This intangible connection reaffirms our Sci-High bond, no matter the years since graduation,” Vi-ann notes. She stays linked through BS Nursing batchmates who became college classmates, carrying Science High’s culture of excellence into projects and duties, earning praise from instructors. Reconnecting with “manongs, manangs, and adings” keeps memories alive, while the embedded pursuit of competence feels second-nature.
Science High’s early research exposure from Grade 8 equipped Vi-ann for her college thesis, where she contributed to award-winning “Best Paper” and “Best Poster” outputs. This built resilience through late nights of revisions and data analysis. Her accomplishments—Latin Honors graduation, exemplary licensure performance, and research triumphs—inspire future students. “Science High gave me the push to excel; it’s truly where great minds meet.”
Looking ahead, as a Registered Nurse, Vi-ann values the school’s research culture and siblinghood (embodied in “Bind Us Together”), hoping they evolve with teacher guidance while sustaining bonds that make challenges bearable. This article underscores the transformative power of quality education (SDG 4) received at UB Science High, which nurtured Vi-ann’s capabilities even before her tertiary studies. Her success in a critical field like nursing directly advances Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3): Good Health and Well-being, by demonstrating how strong secondary education can produce skilled healthcare professionals ready to strengthen health systems, improve access to quality care, and address global workforce shortages.
