By Rinoa Kate dela Cruz 

PHOTO: Jonhel Patricia Ampil/Facebook


“I brought honor to my family and nation with this award.”

This has been the reaction of Niagara College’s top student, Jonhel Patricia Lim Ampil, as she receives the Governor General’s Academic Medal, the highest academic excellence award in Canada. 

The Filipina student received this award by earning the highest grade-point average (GPA) of 98.046 with Recreation therapy in the Batch of 2022. 

In her convocation speech on June 24, Ampil shared that the award has made her proud as she expresses the feeling of bringing honor to her family and to the Philippines. 

Furthermore, she also mentioned that being an international student may have brought her challenges but looking forward, she believes that all of these have been worth it as they gave her the courage in overcoming her obstacles. 

“It means so much to me. Being an international student and away from home, made me feel that all my struggles and hard work have paid off. Moreover, it gave me the confidence that I can do great things if I just put my mind and heart into it,” she said. 

Currently, Ampil works as an assistant activity coordinator at Chapel Heights retirement home where she offers opportunities for Niagara Falls residents to experience meaningful programming that would enhance their well-being as explained by her college’s publication.