Stardust

Andrea Ronquillo
Aug 28, 2017 · 6 min read

“The stars look bright tonight, don’t they?”

In the bustling city of Manila, one seldom gets the opportunity of gazing at the night sky in this light. With the lamentable reality of light and air pollution, a sight such as this is considered a rarity — if not a miracle — to witness upon.

Tonight, at our annual Leadership Training Camp, the skies exhibited a seemingly different, luminous display.

As a curtain of dusk draped over the skies, I glanced at the glimmering sight above me. The moon hung hazy and full beneath an eclipse of blazing embers. Spangles of glimmer illuminated the atramentous blanket of the sky, prominently standing out amongst the darkness. Hanging by heaven’s thread –

s t a r s .

The existence of these celestial, heavenly bodies has always enchanted me as a child. Growing up, I was even accustomed to the belief that every person owned a star within the heavens. Depending one’s progression here on Earth, a person’s supposed star also adapts accordingly. For instance, enduringly consuming vegetables would increase the possibilities of developing a “good star”, while bickering with your sibling would essentially corrode it into a “bad star”.

Naïve as it was, however, my postulated “theory” set a basis for my moral compass in life. Despite the scientific and logical inconsistencies, I strived to heighten the growth of my own “good star” in the universe.

As I grew older, my moral compass directed me to different routes and roles which broadly influenced my growth as a person. Choosing these paths, I ensured all were in line with my vision of producing my “good star” in the universe. As my star glimmered across the sea of dimness, it served as a light which illuminated the somber twilight — a light and source of influence for onlookers down below.

It was not until my fateful class in Earth Science, when my “theory” was proven scientifically inaccurate. In a more scientific context, stars represent the most fundamental building blocks of galaxies –

“But how are they born?”, asked the same inquisitive seven-year-old, reassured of her theory.

Stars, much like any living thing in the universe, go through a series of processes or phases within their existence — a life cycle, as science would deem it. Likewise, my star also underwent a series of events before being fused into a glistening blaze in the heavens. It strived to exist for a purpose — and that purpose being is to shine.

Moreover, my star’s formation and very core defined the identity of my leadership — in how the flaring flames which encompassed my star provided warmth to others; in how I chose to shine amidst the over looming blanket of darkness which bounded me.

This is the story of my star.

PHASE I: STELLAR NEBULLA

“As gas particles in the molecular cloud run into each other, heat energy is created, which allows a warm clump of molecules to form in the gas cloud — a protostar.

The star is a mere cloud of dense, heated molecules — turbulent emotions clouded her as she began her existence. Unequipped, she braced herself for the long journey ahead.

A budding third-grader myself, it was a pure moment of bewilderment when I was elected as vice president by my class; emotions of anxiety and enthusiasm suffused my mind upon hearing the news. In the past years, I had only been elected for seemingly negligible class roles — like being the fourth elected O.D. (Officer of the Day) who was in charge of religiously checking placemats during lunchtime, or perhaps the “front girl” who was in charge of erasing the dusty blackboard. This was my first time to actually be included in the list of major officers in class — and be a part of what my class used to refer as the “cool kids”. Leadership, after all, meant just another entitlement to brag about for my third-grader self. I was too comfortable in my comfort zone, that I didn’t bother to be acquainted with my real responsibilities.

Having no real prior experience of leadership, I started the first few months of my term as a mere figure of authority. I had a firm belief that my position only entailed me to write the infamous “noisy list” down on the board, and to crudely silence my boisterous classmates. It was not until I was tasked to collect a subject requirement from my class by my teacher, I heard the dreadful words still clearly etched in my mind:

“You’re an inefficient leader,” bellowed my teacher upon learning I did not complete the said task on time.

I distinctly remember her utter disappointment as she walked away, causing a churn in my stomach. Afflictive as her words are, I took these as an opportunity to change rather than a personal attack. I realized that in my tender age, I still had a lot to learn and understand; I accepted my inexperience and incompetence as a leader, and decided to respond to the challenge of positive change.

Thus, the young star attempts to push the gases and dense molecule which bounded her — in order for her light to be visible in the universe.

PHASE II: MAIN SEQUENCE STAR

“The young star will begin to produce strong winds, which will push away the surrounding gas and molecules. It is visible for the first time.

The star bravely attempts to push the gases and molecules besieging her. As she escaped her dense conditions, her budding form begins to radiate light. She shines.

As I entered high school, I was greatly aware of the annual, eminent Leadership Training Camps offered by my school to be fulfilled by elected officers — what was unknown to me was the quality of leadership St. Theresa’s College Quezon City prepared me for.

My school’s rigorous leadership trainings did not aim to bear one-hit wonders; rather, my school envisioned to nurture and develop servant-leaders who are committed to sustain and promote a transformative leadership exercised in service.

During my first leadership training experiences, our whole line of activities was based on Steven Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. A specific habit which distinctly retained in my mind was Habit 1, being proactive. Moreover, if one desires to be effective, one must be proactive in responding to responsibilities.

Then, I realized that in order to be an effective leader, one must be accountable for her responsibilities. It is always essential to have genuine concern for others; every person is innately capable of being reformed into better leaders, better stars — who may eventually evoke change in the universe.

As I enshrined these in my core, I began to face the dense blanket of anxiety and fear which limited me — I have escaped my comfort zone.

“The young star reaches hydrostatic equilibrium as it becomes a solid shape — a main sequence star.”

As I continue to grow, my personal values complete me as a person — providing me balance and keeping me grounded as a leader. My inner core is completely formed as I become resolute in illuminating the night sky — my desire to provide light and inspiration for others has never been greater.

Thus, the star becomes visible to the world.

PHASE III: SUPERNOVA

“During a supernova, when a massive star explodes at the end of its life, the explosion also disperses the different elements across the universe.”

While some stars fade and burn quietly, my star bursts vigorously — lucidly scattering its stardust across the universe.

Our school systematically groups all student leaders in “modules” each school year according to the number of times one is elected. Accordingly, after six years of servanthood, I have finally been appointed as a Module 6 Leader this school year — the highest and chief module of all modules.

As we commenced tonight’s annual Leadership Camp Feast, a surge of electricity seemingly ran through me — this would serve as my last leadership training in St. Theresa’s College.

While we prepared the program for the evening’s feast, a freshman coyly approached me and handed me a small note. As she went, I discreetly opened the note:

“Thank you for inspiring me to lead! Good luck tonight.”

As I folded the note into my pocket, I smiled; perhaps it was because of the simple reason that during my time being in school, I was able to motivate and inspire — and that, for me, is the greatest reward compared to any leadership title or honor I have received.

I knew for a fact that my star did not simply fade away — it chose to scatter its different elements and stardust along the universe. My star may have exploded, but in return, it was able to give birth to other stars.

I glanced back at the skies looming above us, speckled with thousands of bright specks.

“The stars look bright tonight, don’t they?”

And at that moment, they do.

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