Another school year has come to a close. Students are excited to finally take a rest and have a vacation. Some are thrilled as to what course they are going to take now that they have finally closed a chapter of their high school life. Others are feeling on cloud nine for they managed to withstand the challenges they have intertwined in their junior high school journey. But I think what excites them the most is to finally receive their recognition and hard-earned diplomas and awards.
Last July 12, we had our three-in-one event - Recognition Rites, Moving-up Ceremony, and Graduation Exercises.
Recognition Rites
At 9:00-11:30, we had first our Recognition Rites for Grades 7,8,9 and 11.
Receiving these certificates and medals for excelling in class doesn't happen overnight. Students were able to experience sleepless nights studying and making their reports, standing in front of the class for an oral recitation with trembling knees and sweating hands, going to school with nothing to eat and nothing in their pocket, crying over low scores, failing self-expectations and dealing with personal problems at home. All these are just a few of the sacrifices that lead them to this day. With that, they deserve to be given recognition for they work hard for it, they sacrifice to be on top.
My Grade 11 students with some of my colleagues.
This is me crashing in the selfie photo of my grade 8 students with the adviser.
These are my Grade 9 Loyalty babies, my advisory.
I am happy seeing them, making their parents proud of their achievements. I have high hopes in them that from being these young innocent ladies, soon, they will become successful and be the person they want themselves to be.
Moving-up Ceremony
At 1:00 in the afternoon, we started the Moving-up Ceremony. Completers and parents were all set for the Processional. Mixed emotions were evident on the students' faces as the sky also started to darken. A downpour was on its way snatching this momentous event. Minimal rain showers didn't stop these completers from singing their Moving-up song. Afterward, flower and money bouquets were given to them followed by uncountable selfies and photos.
May these students continue to strive for being better and may they always remember that no dream is too impossible if they put their heart into it. Seeing how proud their parents are melted my heart.
Graduation Exercises
Graduation is one of the most symbolic events in a student's journey. It also signifies the many years of hardwork and relentless pursuit of knowledge and excellence. This is also the perfect opportunity for students to show how grateful they are for the constant support of the people around them, those who love them, those who believed in them, those who taught them to dream and stayed with them while they are reaching for that dream.
At exactly 3:00 in the afternoon, we started the Processional. Heavy raindrops were starting to fall. But as they say, the show must go on. Raindrops are blessings. Indeed, they were all blessed as they have come this far, wearing their toga and would be holding sooner their diplomas.
Amidst the downpour, we ended the Graduation Exercises successfully. Students were able to approach and hug those individuals who matter to them including the teachers. As the master of the ceremonies of the three events, I have witnessed different emotions. I have seen the tightest hugs. I have heard the sincerest thank you's. I have looked at the most genuine smiles. And I have captured their proudest moments. These happenings made me travel back to my journey of becoming who I am today.
TEACHER'S POINT OF VIEW
It feels fulfilling also to the part of the teachers to see our students happy and proud of their achievements. For the long years we have been together in a classroom, more than just teaching them the rules on the subject-verb agreement, introducing them to different plays and playwrights, teaching them algebraic expressions, and explaining what a research paper is all about, we have learned and shared values and moments together. As teachers, we are proud to see them all equipped and ready to face the battles in the real world.
PHOTOS WITH BESTIES
These are the faces of a not so stressed teachers (some of my colleagues). Having no enough rest because of the numerous preparations we had to accomplish, still, we manage to smile.
From left to right- The first is the youngest, and the second is 3 years older than the last two who were born in the same year.
And before I forgot, from this...
to this, real quick.
That's all for today's blog. Thank you for spending your time reading this far. Be well. Be safe. Until the netswriting.
Some photos were Fb tagged on me and are posted on our school's Fb page.