We're rooted in fertile soil, says class valedictorian
Victor Robinson
"THE PARABLE of the sower teaches us that seeds that fall on rocky ground will soon wither and die, but those planted on good, fertile soil will eventually yield a bountiful harvest."
Thus said Victor Robinson, class valedictorian, during the recent 37th Commencement Exercises of the Ateneo de Iloilo High School Department held at the school gym.
"We are so lucky for having Ateneo de Iloilo as our second home. We were truly nurtured the Christian way, so well-rooted in a fertile soil that I am sure that we are now ready to face the next challenges of our lives with full confidence and competence," Robinson said.
With 117 seniors receiving their diplomas, the graduation program was divided into two, the Baccalaureate Mass in the morning at the Santa Maria Parish (SMP) and the Graduation Rites in the afternoon at the school gym.
Jazelle Marie Nufable was the class salutatorian, followed by Red Gabriel Convocar, Vincent Cubero, Rodel Luther Ferrer as the First, Second, and Third Honorable Mentions respectively in the English Department.
Besting in the Chinese program was Marianne Christie Go with Christine Marie Sia as second honoree, while Pauline Judith Padernal and Jane Diane Castor tied in for third honors.
Special awards were given to Robinson and Nufable for journalism; Patrick Lenaming, Ysane Uy de Ong and Jan Jan Valencia for sports; and Pauline Padernal (Pedro Arrupe) and Paul Denee Monicimpo (Gerry Roxas) for leadership. IWAG Awards for excellence in developmental journalism was also given to Robinson, Nufable, Sia and Castor.
Loyalty Awards were also given to about 40 students who have been in school for at least ten years. 23 graduates were also given the Francis Xavier Award for Service for the fields of Journalism, Club, Homeroom, Community Service, and Arts. Cole Pabilona, for his part, was given a "Person for Others" award for his outstanding and selfless service to others worthy of emulation.
Among the highlights of the event were the Pledge of Loyalty led by Alfred Francis Tan and the induction to the AdI-SMCS Alumni Association facilitated in by its vice president Jacob Juan Arnaldo Borres.
The affair--attended by hundreds of parents, teachers, relatives and guests-- was concluded by the singing of the graduation song, "Journey," and the school hymn.
"Fellow graduates, the very reason behind why we joyfully receive our diplomas on this very day is that, as crops, we have had very rich foundation, and we have had excellent cultivators inspired with good intentions," Victor reminded his batch mates.
"Let's us not weep that our most cherished high school life is about to end, but rather we must celebrate for it happened." (with reports of Marielle Jacomille and Camille Denise Javellana)