Son of Pinoy couple in US gets highest honors at graduation

A 17-year-old son of a Filipino couple in the United States has been given the highest honors during their high school graduation ceremonies on May 19.

John Joshua Duran, whose mother is a registered nurse at the Advent Health Winter Park, did not really aim to be a summa cum laude at the Edgewater High School in Orlando, Florida.

Photos courtesy of John Joshua Duran

“I just kept studying and working through my classes. Nalaman ko na lang na summa cum laude ako nung graduation because they don’t announce the Latin phrases usually sa high school and only point out the Top 10,” he shared during an interview via Messenger on May 23.

He also did not have a hard time studying at a foreign school, having been born and raised in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE) for 13 years.

“It’s just keeping up the efforts and the time you give in completing assignments and staying on level on your class. I took five AP [Advanced Placement] weighted courses throughout my four years—one in Grade 9, one in Grade 11, three in Grade 12—and dual enrollment classes given for free with college professors teaching you.”

John Joshua plans to get a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science at the University of Central Florida (UCF) while he takes a pre-medical track and then pursue a master’s degree.

“Also, during this summer, magtatrabaho ako as a pharmacy technician at the local pharmacy here para maka-save for college and ticket na rin to visit the Philippines and the UAE again.”

(Also, during this summer, I’ll be working as a pharmacy technician at the local pharmacy here to be able to save for college and ticket so I can visit the Philippines and the UAE again.) —LBG, GMA News