Recommended by the teachers and staff of Ignite Christian Academy, the student of the month award recognizes talented individuals who use their gifts for the glory of God. The February 2013 student of the month, Abigail Quirong, is a freshman who lives in The Philippines.
ICA: Describe yourself as a person.
Abigail Quirong: I am a person who loves reading, writing, and being creative.
ICA: What grade are you in and what courses are you taking or will you take?
Abigail: I am in the ninth grade, taking the four main subjects, as well as P.E. and Spanish. I took British Literature and American Literature a year ago, and I am planning to take a course going more in-depth on history.
ICA: How long have you been enrolled with ICA? What circumstances led to you being enrolled with ICA?
Abigail: I have been in ICA for 5 years. My parents were not satisfied with the traditional schooling near us and decided to take ICA. They wanted a more rounded education which is flexible and allows me more time for other interests.
ICA: What aspect of ICA do you enjoy the most?
Abigail: I enjoy the online classes and the flexible school schedule.
ICA: What are some of your hobbies and interests?
Abigail: My favorite hobbies are playing the harp, painting, drawing, other forms of music, martial arts, editing articles on an online site, and writing stories. My interests are history of ancient cultures, the socio-political genre, eco projects, military history, animation, traveling, foreign languages, and books.
ICA: What are some of your favorite things?
Abigail: My favorite food is anything Japanese or Italian, and I have a lot of favorite movies and songs. My favorite verse is Psalm 119:105. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."
ICA: Do you volunteer with any organizations?
Abigail: I sometimes volunteer at Habitat for Humanity and at the Red Cross helping in the relief operations during calamities, especially storms.
ICA: If you could use three words to describe yourself what would they be?
Abigail: Artistic, avid reader, and even more avid writer.
ICA: What are your future plans or dreams?
Abigail: I hope to become either a journalist or a history teacher. I'd also like to write fiction stories on the side, help out at an eco-organization, and never stop traveling to different countries.
ICA: Who is the most significant role model in your life?
Abigail: I can't say that I have a lot of role models, as a lot of people have something to teach me.
ICA: What is your most treasured possession?
Abigail: There is this Star of David necklace my dad got from Israel. Other than that, I would say it's my sketchbook/binder because that's where all my story ideas are written.
ICA: Is there anything you have always wanted to do but haven't done yet?
Abigail: Go scuba diving and experience a couple of other extreme sports. I would like to visit many places and islands around the world. Also, I would like to attend a music festival and go to Rio de Janeiro to watch the 2016 Olympics.
ICA: If you could meet anyone, who would it be and why?
Abigail: If you mean a person who has passed on, I would say the American president Theodore Roosevelt because we have a lot of interests in common. If you mean someone who is living, I would have to say some of my classmates who live on the other side of the world.
ICA: What would others be surprised to learn about you?
Abigail: I know a bit about plant/herb properties and can quote book lines by page number and chapter.
ICA: How do you want to be remembered when people look back on your life?
Abigail: When I was little, my dream was that when I died, I would be remembered for writing the stories that were a big part of other people's childhood like other authors whose famous books and characters were a big part of mine.