I found this writeup on Multiply. My dear friend back in high school wrote this for me. I just want to put it somewhere I can see it regularly to always keep me grounded. 
Thanks Lopao
To most of PSHS class of 2002, Carla Cheryl Cordova will always be highly regarded as the epitome of the achiever. The class salutatorian, female model student and 3 term batch vice president never fails to impress with her brilliance, determination, dedication, grace under pressure and charm. To a lot of her batchmates, she will always be one of those people to be admired and emulated. Indeed with just these three sentences, a profile of greatness and genius already emerges. Viewed from her well-deserved position on the pedestal of acclaim, Miss Carla Cheryl Cordova is truly amazing.
To those who know her best, those who call her “Apple” with such fondness, to describe her as “amazing” is a gross understatement. Up close and personal, one gets to see that there is much more to Apple than all of her glittering achievements put together. Down from the pedestal of acclaim, one gets to truly appreciate the sincerity and integrity of her character. To know her on a really personal level exposes you to her seemingly boundless selflessness and generosity. Always willing to help other people in any way that she can, she always has this ready smile and a kind word to say to those who need them most. She never passes up on an opportunity to provide a shoulder to cry on or offer a helping hand. It doesn’t matter to Apple if your problem seems so trivial or if it actually is truly life shattering. She will be there for you and care for you and with you even beyond the point where it hurts. She listens well, gives excellent advice and always manages to give encouragement no matter how difficult or hopeless your problem may seem to be.
It is not surprising to be intimidated by Carla Cheryl Cordova the achiever, model student and all around genius. It is not unexpected to measure her greatness by using her collective achievements as a yardstick. It is very easy to value her worth as a person based only on such things. To do all of these however is great folly.
Knowing Apple off that pedestal, as a person, with her hair down and in her moments of weakness one would come to a certain realization. All of the so called glory and greatness don’t really matter to her. That’s why these things have never even come close to getting to her head. All Apple wants is to be remembered as a person who was able to touch lives and effect positive changes through the little and the not so little things that she was able to do.
It is hoped that whenever she would find time or feel the urge to read this she herself would be encouraged and inspired. Because this write up is proof that for at least one person she is sure that she was able to touch a life.
Apple Cordova. The measure of your greatness is not in the things you do, but in the whole of your being, in your character that is oh so true.
