Milestones

Trisha finished Grade 7 at the top of her batch. For this feat, she was assigned to give the Welcome Remarks during the graduation ceremonies. Here is her unedited draft.

The Tiongsons after the graduation. As Teensy related:
 "Chuchi and Boy were  given front seats!"

 

      Good afternoon. Today we are gathered to celebrate the 2013 graduating elementary class of Colegio de San Agustin. A graduation signals the completion of studies. The seven years spent in CSA may have ended and we look at both good times and bad, but in no way is our education complete.  High school and college still await us. To be frank, I personally prefer the term commencement over graduation, for commencement marks a beginning rather than an end. Beginnings carry a touch of excitement, sometimes a tinge of fear. They hide the unknown, but at the same time hold the promise of what can come, of what may be. Life itself is a never ending transition of endings melding into beginnings. t.s. eliot was right in observing that "to make an end is to make a beginning."

     While we are all proud to have hurdled this first step in our continuing studies, we look forward to the start of high school with mixed feelings. But rising above all our emotions is our gratitude to you dear parents, who made all of these possible for us.  Today we welcome you with grateful hearts, for this graduation, more than being our celebration, is yours. As we graduate, be one with us, and together let us celebrate life itself. Welcome to the 2013 CSA Grade School Commencement Exercises!