Bona fide text
Salute to the graduates
"The great value of formal education is that it is designed to foreshorten human experience. It endeavors with ease and economy to bring each succeeding generation up to date with respect to the past, and to make it at home in the world. In this sense, it prepares each generation for life," Virgil M. Hancher once said.
Few days left and the fourth batch of the fourth year of SJS will graduate and leave the portals of the school. I've been their World History teacher when they were in their Third Year. Honestly, I was not that impressed with their batch when they were in their junior year probably because of the negative ideas that I've heard even before I first entered their classroom and had my first instructions with them.
As time passed by, I learned to open my heart to them as they too accepted me not only as their CIVICS teacher but as a friend as well. We had many memories worth to be remembered last school year especially the Wardrobe Presentation we had which catered to their talent in designing and making clothes inspired by the different civilizations we discussed.
As they reached 4thYear high school, our relationship became closer. I became their Economics teacher and still we enjoyed especially the activities I prepared for them but please don't ask about the quizzes or the long test, for sure they will always say, "Budlay or kalawig Sir ba."
Moreover, I tapped most of them to be a part of SJS Debate Circle. I say thank you to Rapunzel Grace Lim, the president, for her enthusiasm and passion to achieve the goals of our organization. I applaud her as one of recipients of the H.A.L.IG.I. Foundation's Ang BATANG LIDER, the search for The Outstanding Student Leaders of Iloilo City (TOSLIC). My thanks also to the other senior members: Denise, Mabielle, Sheela, Hope, AK, Jaime, Czarina, Joel, Yssa, Aizlynn, Jumbo, Ten-Ten, Jamila, Janelle, Pamela and Jufel. Always remember that you are the pioneers of the SJS Debate Circle. Kudos for a job well done!
To Denise Patricia Granada, E-I-C of The Yellow Bird, the official student publication of SJS, congratulations! We reinvented the publication and named it The YB Magazine and it turned very positively to our readers. My gratitude also to my senior editors: Rapunzel, Mabielle, Jumbo, Ten-Ten, and Aizlynn for all the hardwork you've done just to beat the deadline given to you. I will surely miss the brainstorming, the pictorial, and the bonding we had during press conferences.
And to all the Fourth Year St. Patrick students headed by Sir Rey Debuque and Fourth Year St. Thomas students supervised by Teacher Lea Manejero, CONGRATULATIONS! I humbly say thank you to all of you guys for all the memories that we had. I will cherish them all and forever they will be written in my heart.
As you enter another milestone of your educational ladder, have the heart to educate yourself first and never stop learning. Newton Baker says, "The man who graduates today and stops learning tomorrow is uneducated the day after." Be a productive citizen of our country and make the best of your education. Be grateful to your parents and to all people who molded you to become a better person right now. And above all, engrave the presence of God in your heart.
To all graduates of School Year 2007-2008, Congratulations and God Bless!