HS Valedictory Speech 03.19.07

Reposting: I freaking wrote like a DORK back in the day! DAMN.

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I buried a chest of highschool memories but I kept a map, for one day I know, I'll find my way back to open the lock. One day, I'll reminisce these treasures, knowing that college can never replace the smiles my "berks" have given me. Even getology (study of laughter) could not define what high school has offered.
Friends, teachers, classmates, schoolmates, PM sisters and parents, good morning!

As I was thinking what to say in front of you today, I remembered, for the past week we were rehearshing for this big day, all I was able to say was thank you. And to tell you honestly, I meant all 9-letters of it. It has been four years since I set foot on the HCM ground, four long years since I first sat in these classrooms listening to our beloved teacher. Four years since we began our transformation from small dependent brats to young independent adults.


For those years of staying in our Alma Mater, we learned great things. We discovered who we are through our friends and teachers. We found our strengths, our skills, as well as our weaknesses. We gradually learned to stand on our own two feet, slowly cracking out of our shells. We learned to understand, and to be understood. We learned that it was nice to be important, but it was important to be nice.

I believe that you would agree when I say that our highschool years are the most unforgettable years. I think, even our parents would agree too. We experienced our highest highs and the sweetness life has to offer, we had the first glimpse of the real world. We had sleepovers at our friends, staying at their house for the whole afternoon telling our parents we were making our projects, we went malling, watching movies, wandering in the community and in the city. We went to beaches and internet cafes together, going home late sometimes spending time outside eating our kwek-kewks and squidballs. But, we also had troubles, our lowest points, we had the taste of how bitter life can be. We failed some tests, fell short of the competitions, got scolded by our advisers and teachers for irresponsibility. We had quarrels and arguements with our peers, misunderstandings with one another, sometimes, even with our teachers. We end up tearing each other apart. Like I said, we lost some contests, we lost some treasures, we even lost some of our friends. But, this is the great thing, we climbed up when we slipped down, we stood up before we could give up, we took the blow, absorbed the impact, and here we are, with caps on our heads, togas wrapped on our body, diplomas on our hands. We started as children and sit here now as adults.

Four years of sacrifice, joy, laughter and tears, pays off today. Sleepless nights working on our projects, then waking up early in the morning to report to school, comes to a halt, at least for a while, as we look ahead and stare at the vast horizon of our college life. We are eggs on our 20th day ready to hatch and face the great big world, but let lus think that we would not reach our 20th day if mother hen did not sit on us each and everyday. Let us think of the people who are unfortunate not to be able to sit with us today, not to be able to feel the happiness Graduation day brings. Let us be grateful that we reached where we are right at this very moment.

On, behalf of my fellow graduates, we would like to thank you, our parents, for being with us through ups and downs. For scolding us when we come home late, for giving us baon everyday, for your undying love and support. For being our first teacher, for being our provider. All of these are for you. To our pedagogue’s, our second parents, our teachers, for being there even when we don’t want you to be. For inspiring us, molding us and imparting your knowledge. For correcting our even smallest mistakes and healing our greatest wounds. To all our friends, all the ones weve met on this journey. All of you are part of my life, all of you are part of my heart, all of you are part me. Thank you for all the encouragement, for having my back, for helping me up, for listening, for inspiring. These words are not enough to tell you the gratitude of being accepted, being part of the family. To the P.M. sisters, we would like to send you our deepest thank you for giving us oppurtunities to pray, for all the spiritual guidance, for imparting in us lessons we will never forget. To our Alma Mater, Holy Cross of Mintal, thank you for molding us from civilians to citizens, for making us God-centered, person-oriented, and intelectually competent students of this country. We will never forget that we became part of the HCM family and where ever we will go, that we came from this humble school. And above all, to God. Lord, you made us the best we can be. If not for you, I would not be where I am standing right now, I would not have accomplished these things, I would never be alive in the first place.

Yes, I think this is the end of another chapter in my book, and each one of you wrote a page in this chapter that completed it. Now, its time to move on. Let us now brace our selves to what ever the future may bring. The future is but ink in the pen; it is the duty of you, the writer, to decide how the strokes will fall upon the pages of your story, and what structure the final tale will take.

To end, I would like to share a story about a donkey that fell into a deep pit. His owner decided to just bury the donkey and put it out of its misery. So, he asked his neighbors to help him shovel dirt into the pit. But, the donkey never gave up; every time dirt falls unto his shoulder and back, he would just shake it off and take a step up. Another pile fell from up top, but, he shook it off and took a step up. Again, he shook it off took a step up. He just shook and took, and before he knew it, he reached the top.

Fellow graduates, as we take up another stage in our life, I hope we have the courage and will power like the donkey had. No matter how large the pile of problems and trials are shoveled up our back, we just shake it off and take the step up. Failures in life bring thousands of lessons that lead us to success. Remember, tough times never last but tough people do. When we are at the top of a waterfall, and it’s a long way down to the river. JUMP!!! Overcome your fear, at least you felt the greatness of flying. Take Risks, Dream Big!!! Put yourself into the POTTER’S HAND.

Thank you.