While some choose to delay the board exam after graduation to prepare and cling to age-old superstitions for luck, Kym Lyan S. Terrago decided to forge a different path.

Ranking 4th nationwide (Secondary Level) in the September 2025 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT), the Magna Cum Laude graduate from Catanduanes State University (CatSU) proved that her story is defined by tremendous effort, hard work, and strong faith in God—making the "impossible" possible.

With a remarkable 94.20% rating, Terrago, who hails from San Andres, made history and wrote her own story as the first English major from the College of Education to break into the national list of topnotchers.

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵

As she recounted during the EduKahusayan event on March 4, 2026, Terrago’s path to the top was initially a detour. 

Following her graduation in June 2025, she originally intended to rest and delay her board exam until March 2026. However, the collective support of her classmates, friends, and family, as well as a series of "divine signs" received through the advice of mentors, pushed her to dive in early. 

“I prayed harder to come up with better decisions. The indications I received through the people I asked for advice pushed me to take the board exam in September 2025,” she recalled. 

Despite her success, she admitted that her journey was far from ‘smooth sailing.’ She treated her review like a marathon, starting her preparations even before her graduation gown was tucked away. 

Recounting her preparations, Terrago shared that she scheduled her most intense study sessions from the afternoon until midnight and practiced strict digital discipline, transforming her gadgets from distractions into study companions by utilizing supplemental videos provided by her review center. 

Terrago was likewise consistent with her "no zero days" rule, refusing to let a single day pass without reviewing concepts.

“We should not let a day pass without reviewing concepts. Even small progress is still progress,” Terrago emphasized. 

This disciplined approach paid off early in the process. Terrago was a consistent top performer in diagnostic and pre-board exams at her review center, though she refused to let those early wins breed complacency. 

𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Interestingly, in a culture where "red underwear" and specific board exam superstitions are often part of the preparation, Terrago chose to forgo traditional ‘pamahiin’. 

“I believe that my dedication and faith in God is way stronger than any of those superstitions,” she stated. 

Her prayers remained specific but humble, asking for a high rating while entrusting the topnotcher spot entirely to God’s will.

When the results finally dropped, the anxiety that had shadowed her waiting period vanished. 

“I burst into tears of happiness and appreciation. It was a heartfelt praise and utmost gratitude to God,” she expressed.

Beyond personal glory, her achievement carries significant weight as an inspiration for her alma mater. While English majors have rarely appeared among the topnotchers in previous LEPT editions, Terrago has effectively shattered that glass ceiling for all CatSUans.

‘𝗛𝗘𝗥𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆’ 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲

As she transitions from making "HERstory" to becoming a professional educator, Terrago’s message to those following in her footsteps remains clear and grounded. 

She encourages future LEPT takers to never let the perceived difficulty of a goal stop them from pursuing it. 

‘HERstory’ serves as a living testament to her final piece of advice: “dream big, aspire big, and always partner those ambitions with tremendous effort, hard work, and unwavering faith”.