Biographical Statement: Sean De Guzman

Biographical Statement My name is Sean De Guzman and I am currently attending the University of Alaska Anchorage. I was born in the Philippines and moved to a small town in Alaska called Utqiagvik right after I was born, where I would start and end my K-12 education. Growing up, I always knew that my Mom worked hard to support us every day. This motivated me to do well in school so that I could make her proud. As a result, I got good grades and won many awards to show that all of my Mom’s hard work was worth it. However, I realized as I got older that my education was starting to become all about the grade. Grades were starting to define me and dictate how I would approach my education, and I didn’t want that. I wanted to give myself more meaning, so I decided in my
I now hold this realization close to me as I move through my life and educational journey. With the importance of education that I have come to realize in my life, I have made it an utmost priority to continue learning and succeeding in school. I have maintained a 4.0 GPA through my first year of college, making me a member of the chancellor’s list at UAA. While many people see this and look at the grades, the element that I value the most is being able to learn and grow through the education that I am receiving. Getting these grades comes with an abundance of learning, both about myself and the world around me. School is not just a place to chase the grade or get the degree, it is also a place to chase growth, improvement, and insight. These are the elements of school that motivate me the most so that I can become the best version of myself. Being knowledgeable in these aspects will help me proceed into my future where I can use my education to help others and hopefully make the world a better