My Graduation Message
VALEDICTION - derived from the Latin phrase "vale dicere", meaning "to say farewell." (as given this June 16, 2018 by yours truly)
To our fatherly and loving university president,, sir. To our ever-supportive and energetic campus administrator, sir. To our very active and efficient Student Affairs and Services director, ma'am. To our dynamic and young school principal, sir. Respective deans from the different colleges of this university, and to the OIC Dean of the CIT. To the faculty of the senior high school department, beloved parents, teachers, friends, ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant morning to one and all.
At this moment, you may be wondering: why am I standing in front of you today? Why me? Why, dear listeners, I am but just a student. A student who studied and worked hard, with the sole purpose of learning. Isn't that a part of what being a student is all about? As it says in the dictionary, a student is a person formally engaged in learning. So, if I am just a student, then why me out of the many students who are here today? I guess one of the reasons is pretty obvious. It's because I achieved the title of being the valedictorian. Is it not a fact? There's no use denying it. So, if I am what I say I am, what kind of dialogue should come from me? Well, I hope you are curious to find out. I just need you to listen. Some people say that speeches are the most boring part of a program. But I thought speeches are supposed to be one of the important parts? Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address put him on the map for president. Without this speech he may never have been the icon he is today. Hitler's many speeches were delivered with extreme passion and caused arguably one of the most horrific genocides of all time. So, speeches. Is it not that important to you that you are already thinking of going home today, or that you want to skip it? I also know that you are all hungry and waiting for this to end. The last thing I want is for you to get bored and starve. Before you snooze or turn your attention away, please just hear me out for just a while. You never know, you might actually learn something.
There is no denying that today is a very special day. I know everyone who is gathered here would agree so, I am sure of it. For these past few days, we have been anticipating for this day. We have waited long, dear students and respective families who are with us today. For all the students along with their family members who are here today, let us praise the Lord because graduation is finally here. As I have heard from many people, think positive, be positive. The worst times can be the best if you think with positive energy, according to Domenico Dolce.
Being one of the first achievers as a senior high school student is rewarding. Two additional years of our high school life might have been added, but we should be grateful they did so. A premier university in a global community, that is our vision. And to achieve that, the K-12 curriculum being added was a good decision. Like it says in today's theme, "NVSU Strengthens Global Commitment." A lot of people have already acknowledged the benefits of changing the standards for Philippine education. For instance, Isagani Cruz on one of his columns in a local newspaper states that some benefits of the K-12 curriculum include sufficient instructional time, more skilled and competent labor force, and recognition as professionals abroad. With adaptation to the K-12 scheme, students are expected to graduate at an age a bit older than past graduates. This is an advantage, according to DepEd, as graduates will be considered young adults. Isn't that fine to hear, being called a young adult? I believe one of these could be traced back to when I was just starting out as a senior high school student. During my grade 11 days, the faculty and staff would often keep repeating that us senior high school students are to be treated as college students. Another one was the activities that were provided from subjects that were more advanced and complicated. Our subject teachers have given us students a taste of what college students have to worry about. From multiple assignments and quizzes to portfolios and research papers. Do you remember when you stayed up all night doing your homework? Trying to finish your individual work hours before the deadline, and I know some students prefer doing their homework on school instead of at home. The rush you feel doing it with your classmates is actually fun, and a quirk that comes with it is you get to share and base your answers with others. I don't necessarily encourage this, though, but at least it's not copying it, correct? That would be cheating. For me, individual outputs are no sweat because the person you can only blame and help is yourself. You are also sure that you are indeed learning because you are doing the work yourself. I prefer these things than working in a group. Ah, the struggles of working in a group. Sure, the workload would be distributed and everyone in your team would have their parts, but there are times when your group mates would be abusive of your patience. Or is it just me? Group works such as group presentations, group performances, and I'm sure all of us have experienced making their thesis. As a student, you also have to learn how to work with others. And the most important lesson I learned with that was patience. Patience with time, patience with work, and most especially is patience with your group members.
One core aspect that's one of our requirements is work immersion. Having the experience to work in a real-life workplace is really valuable knowledge. It is something that you will carry until you yourself become a real employee in a real company or administration. For me personally, doing so has been an eye-opener for me. We learned a lot and made expectations to reality. Being in an actual work environment doesn't mean all you have to do is work. Just as being in school, you don't just go there to study and pass for a diploma. Making worthwhile memories and stories to teach us lessons is part of growing. We save every moment and every moral because we never know when we will need them when time comes. If I were to reflect on everything that happened, I'd say it was quite the experience and I feel thankful that at this point of my life we got to have a taste of how work is like. Although some ridiculed the work us work immersion students did in our respective immersion sites, the most important part was that it was fun and we gained something from that experience.
Many things have happened during these past two years as a senior high school student. Besides the burdens of our academics, there were other eventful things during this period. One thing I'll never forget was how our class was categorized as the worst section in school since day one. My dear classmates from the Grade 12 STEM-B strand all know how I feel right now. At first, I could not understand why. Then I started to observe, and I started to see how the teachers could say such an extreme generalization. They never listened until you became angry at them. And when you get angry too many times, they start to get used to it and just don't listen. Another struggle was that our class used to have no unity and harmony with each other. I also felt that as their class president at the time, I was lacking as one. The teachers even said that they only voted me as a joke. There were even rumors saying that teachers hated us to the point that they refused to be our subject teachers. It was one hell of a year for us. The one thing that I just wanted to do was finish high school and get done with it. But somehow, we got attached to each other. During our days together, I have achieved something I never knew I could achieve, really. It was the confirmation that I was close to every classmate of mine as told from them. I didn't think that I'd gain 43 friends. During senior high school, I changed from an antisocial to a social person. And no matter what people say about us, I am proud to be part of this class.
So many trials have passed for us graduates. One was during the Valentine's day celebration on our Grade 11 days. Our class was in charge of giving tokens to every teacher who taught in the senior high school department to express love from the students. Another were the numerous programs and activities that occurred causing delay and long breaks from our classes, making it hard for us students and also teachers to cope with our lessons. But we know ourselves, some students didn't care, they were just happy there were no classes. There was also the Acquaintance Party or the Seniors' Night this past March. I'm sure everyone had memories from there. Mine is admittedly not that extravagant because I have no love life. But the bonding with my classmates and friends from other sections were enough. There was also the search for Mr. and Miss Senior High and the cultural dance competition past November. The rigorous preparation of every class is something to remember, and our class representatives won different awards making each class proud. How about the numerous loyalty days that were conducted? Wow, so many trials indeed. Wasn't it quick, dear graduates? Our junior and senior high school life is coming to an end. It doesn't matter how slow or how difficult it took, it is already finished. Can we smile and applaud ourselves for reaching this far already?
Now that our high school days are almost over, what will be our next step as students? Some of us may go to college and continue studying. Others might grab opportunities and already start working. We know some already have children of their own. It's quite shocking to find out there were more that got pregnant in the senior high school department than the college departments. Instead of planting seeds and growing crops, it seems watering your flower is more enjoyable. Well, who are we to judge? Just remember, life is not a race. Life can get challenging, and with different decisions come different obstacles to conquer. I encourage you to do things at your own pace. Know your limitations and don't force yourself. If you're feeling down or if something keeps troubling you, just smile and laugh out loud. If you're feeling afraid all of a sudden, trust and believe in yourself. It doesn't matter if it takes time, you will achieve your dreams. Just keep on dreaming, tell yourself, don't give up. Do you feel it? Such words hold so much power. Say these things to yourself whenever possible, it's a really great way of self-motivation. Don't keep it to yourself though, why not say these things to the people around you? It doesn't hurt to give compliments to others once in a while. Because you might not notice, someone might be struggling right now. Instead of judging other people, why not spread positive vibes instead? That's something noticeable in today's society. We are too quick to judge. Instead of noticing every little detail, how about we just don't care and focus on enjoying ourselves?
Let's not forget that we are still growing. Do you remember when you were still a little child? How about when you just became an elementary graduate? Or when you did your moving up ceremony at the end of your junior year? Every moment in your life is an opportunity to become the best that you can be. Use your time wisely. I personally believe that second chances are too overused. You should seize the moment. Don't keep saying, "Next time!" Don't gamble in taking risks and making decisions. You never know when something might be your last chance. You can't be too sure about what lies beyond the horizon. You know what they say, you only live once. For me, my passion and my dream truly are in writing. Poetry or prose, it doesn't matter. I want to be the best that I can be because literary arts are where I am comfortable in expressing myself. To achieve my dream, I write whenever I can. I practice and practice when I have the time, trying different styles, finding my genre and honing my skills. Although a lot don't believe in me and say that my future is bleak if I pursue this, it will still be my love. In the future, I want to share poems, songs, stories, novels from the deep sea that is my mind. I want people to be captivated with my creativity and share my knowledge through my literary works. Well, that is my goal. How about you? I hope dear students you have found something that you want to do when you grow up. So, when this program is over, I want us to challenge ourselves, dear graduates and honorees, to always do your best in doing what is right for you. Whatever it is, you can do it! As quoted from J.K. Rowling, as is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.
At this moment, I would like to take this chance to acknowledge everyone who believed in me. I never would have thought that someone like me who only worked hard to be one of the best would reach the title of being valedictorian. This is not my achievement alone, I dedicate this to everyone who thought I was worthy enough to be part of their lives. For those who loved and supported me, me standing here in front of this crowd today is all because of you. To my teachers, you are all so many that I can't mention you all. Thank you for your wisdom and your teachings, lessons both from our textbooks and outside the textbooks. To my family, especially my father and mother, where we even had to sacrifice our Sabbath worship just to attend this ceremony, for giving me abundant love and care that keeps me going every day. To my father who always supports me and to my mother who always guides me, I am blessed to have you as my parents. To my friends outside this school, especially to my best friend who is going to start college on Monday and to my buddy who is going to Pakistan to finish her senior high school, you guys are the best. To my classmates and schoolmates who became great acquaintances, I want to thank you for being part of my life as a senior high school student. Thank you for always listening to me, lending me your time, for our small talks, and for being true friends. To G4, for being such great compadres and a lot of fun to be around. To Crazy Peeps, we almost achieved our goal that all of us would be honor students. Thank you for your knowledge and friendship. To Tropakels, for your silliness and support. Thank you for keeping our class wild and free. To JDAMN, for being great friends and being great company. To all of you my classmates, just know that I'm going to miss you guys, whether I like it or not.
I know a lot of people are now wondering how the hell did I became the valedictorian. If I am to answer bluntly and with no shame at all, it is because I have the highest-grade point average? But the question is, how? I admit, I did nothing special. I also admit that I am nothing special. I am just a normal student: I go to school, I attend classes, I go to programs, I participate in school, I do the work given by the teachers. But I also wonder to myself, what makes me different? When my peers and my teachers asked me that, I could hardly answer. So, as I was making this speech, I then asked myself instead, what was something different from the others that I didn't have? Strangely enough, I did notice something different from them. While we were all at school, everyone was so focused on their future and whatever happened everyday in school they just waited for it to pass. They studied hard for their high grades to show on their records, others studied hard just to pass and went to school to see their friends. I never thought of those things. The one thing I had in mind every time I went to school was that it might be an opportunity to learn something new. Of course, I also had those days when I didn't want to go to school and it was because there won't be any classes, but I still had to go because of attendance. And during those times, I'm still glad I did so because I fulfilled my obligations as a student. I never stressed of what lies in front of me, all I cared about was I wanted to learn because whatever I might gain would help me become a better person. I strove to be the best that I can be, and I guess this is where I got it. I trusted the essence of being a student to guide me, and I believe that is to learn. To learn and learn. So, to everyone present here, aren't we all students in some ways? Aren't we still growing and learning? Who's there to stop you? Finally, I would like to end my message with a saying from Mahatma Gandhi, which says, live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. Another quote from Albert Einstein says that, once you stop learning, you start dying.
I hope this will be the start of something new for all of us and that you learned something today this morning. Congratulations to us, the new graduates and honor students, and good luck to each of us! Thank you for lending me your ears.
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