Graduation 2013: Success of the Nation’s Future Leaders



By Shiena L. Silva
IV- Philippians (2012-2013)

 

              The MILESTONE of every student ... The END of a chapter but the START of a new one … The BIG EVENT that ushers each high school into their college life. This day, Graduation Day, was finally held for Batch 2013 last March 18th  at Asia Pacific College in Magallanes. With the theme “Building the Nation’s Future Leaders”, Great Christian Academy’s 16th Commencement Exercises was truly an unforgettable event to each of its graduates.



              Neat, nice, and warm congratulatory smiles welcomed the graduates of G.C.A once they’ve entered the place with which the commencement exercise was held. The program started with the procession of graduates, followed by a prayer to officially open the event. As a Christian school, the students were taught to always start everything that they’re going to do with a prayer. The invocation was then followed by the entrance of colors, singing of the Philippine National Anthem, and Pastor Jose Gutierrez’s remarks for the graduates. It was a very touching message. With Mr. Nazar Acedera’s introduction to the commencement speaker, Dr. Edita N. Baggayan, the graduates are quite surprise to know that she will be the school’s future principal. As soon as each graduates received their diploma, it felt like receiving the fruit of their labor. After years of meeting deadlines, passing requirements, and studying for exams, they finally made it. It’s official … They finally graduated. The graduates from pre-school, elementary, and high school then sung their graduation song. It was each followed by the awarding of medals to each honor students per level. Valedictorians and salutatorians left their classmates reminiscing to the days they’ve long past together with their speech, The days that filled their hearts and lives with laughter, tears, joy, conflicts, changes, and victories. Special presentations were performed by some selected students which gave the crowd sample performances of the products of GCA, a school that develops great students. The graduates sung with all their hearts and voices as they had the chance to sing the GCA Hymn. Exit of colors and recession of graduates followed the closing remark given by the student’s adviser in Values, Pastor Darwin Reyes and a concluding prayer by Fourth year adviser, Ms. Analyn Binas. The program ended with a loud cheer from the graduates right after the Master of Ceremony, Mr. James Liu, greeted them a loud “Congratulations!”

               

 

                 Let us here some of the graduates’ feelings about graduating:
• It was sad. But guess what, I just thought that we were only practicing. I am thinking that this is not the last. – Reena Mae Canamaque, 4th year.
• Two things: I’m happy because finally, we got to march as graduates and I’m sad because I will be separated from my friends. – Dennis Dominic Cinco, 4th year.
• I was happy and sad. Happy because I can’t believe that I’ve survived high school and I finally graduated. Sad because after the happy memories and events we’ve been through, we will still be parting ways in the end. – John Elsyd Barcenas, 4th year.



                 “Do not go where the path may lead you; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.

                 As a graduate of Great Christian Academy, we are all taught to be great and humble in everything we shall take, stay as positive as possible, letting God take as to a very successful future He Himself have planned for us.