*Salutatory Address*
Ronelyn Grace P. Jalique
My respect to our Division Superintendent, ___________________who is ably represented by , _______________, Our outstanding Alumna, __________________, Local Government Officials spearheaded by,________________________, PTA President, _____________________ , our ever active and fatherly principal,__________________, assistant principal designate, ________________ , members of the faculty, beloved parents, circle of friends, dear fellow graduates, ladies and gentlemen, my warmest morning greetings to all of you.
It was four years ago, when we first stepped inside the walls of this institution. It was then, when our journey began. For most of us, we entered Trento National High School more than a dream, and today, dated as March 21, 2013, we stand as survivors fully armed and equipped with knowledge skills and values to transform this dream into virtual reality.
“SURVIVORS”, in a sense that, we have survived all those mind-boggling exams, unending projects, nerve-wrecking researches, and even the famous and hazardous typhoon Pablo. At this juncture, let me tell you, you’re very lucky because you’ve made it this far.
However, to others Graduation may simply be equated as the end of a breath-taking tunnel, or a cure to a malignant disease, or an exultation over unsuppressed freedom. But, in how many years from now in your chosen specializations, maybe four or five, you will know in that blissful moment of your lives, that it is much more than any of these.
This year’s theme,” Building the Future Leaders through the K to 12 Basic Education Program.” And yet, today there are about 77 million children of school age, including 44 million girls, who are still not in school due to financial, social, or physical challenges, including high fertility rates, HIV/AIDS, and conflicts. Also, poor learning outcomes and low quality education remain an overriding concern in the education sector. Additionally, pupils to teacher ratios in many countries exceed 40:1 and some mentors lack qualifications. The question is,” how can we build our future leaders, if we don’t patch up the holes first?”
We graduates must be vigilant. We must carefully search for, the hidden solutions to our nation’s problems at the peak of Mt. Everest down to the bottom of the abysmal Pacific Ocean. And we may never put in oblivions the need to actively participate in the search for the visible truth. We are our nation’s hope and pride.
So, do not imagine college life as some abstruse painting that’s been charily sketched and critically studied by a prominent artist. See it as a piece of a puzzle. All those high school life wacky episodes: the ridiculous moments, the foolish arguments, the team efforts, the laughers, the tears, the favorites, and the pictures. These are the stuffs that showed your genuine vitality. These are the things that molded you and built you into who and what you are now. This was our time here at Trento National High School. Wasn’t it worth remembering?
Well, before I let my emotion sweep me way, I would like to tell you that out of the words and phrases in this world, this has become my favorite phrase: “Goodbyes are not forever, goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I’ll miss you, ‘till we meet again.”
May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back, may the sun shine upon your face and may the rain fall softly in your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of His hand.
Once again good morning, happy graduation, and good luck batch 2012-2013.
