A March with Pride (Graduation Day)

I woke up early so as to avoid the fact that I'll be late for my day. The hard copy of my speech is already in the pocket of my uniform, so as to serve as a back up in case I got stocked in the middle of my delivery. Now, I'm wearing my white toga, with full pride. For me, it symbolizes a lot of things, all the hard work that has been done, my pure intentions of offering my labor to my parents, start of a new journey, and also the end of my colorful and meaningful high school life.

At last, the program started on time, though I arrived a little early, I was too busy with all the picture taking with my friends that I haven't noticed it's already time to march. The Elementary Graduates (Grade Six students) were the first one to march towards their respective seats so I just waited until it's my turn. Then my mom stood next to me and held my hand. It's a tradition in our school that during graduation, parents are asked to escort their child to their seats, as for my case I had my mom with me.

It was Ms. Zoraida (High School English Teacher) serving as the Master of Ceremony. At her cue, it's my turn to make an entrance. Together with my mom we made our way to the seats and smiled at my dad who by that time was taking a video of the entire event from afar.

The program went smooth sailing. What I've been waiting for is our guest speaker, Mr. Francis Kong. I actually met him back when I was still a freshman, during one of our leadership training in Canyon Woods, Tagaytay. He's really a great man, what I love about him is that he could speak in Chinese and he can avoid the fact of his audience being bored. I was so lucky to see him once again and in fact it is so coincidental that it was my graduation day. I was right, I could see it in the faces of the audience that they aren't bored at all.

After his speech, there were presentations. the grade school students sang "Heart to Change a World" (a song from the Kids for Christ Musical). I can clearly remember that we sang the same song back in our grade school graduation. Funny how things seem to be redundant.

Right after, awards are now given to each and every graduating student. It was still a long way before my name is to be called since I was the last in line. After an hour or so, there I stood, right at the stairs of the stage with my mom. As my name was called, I walked with full pride, showing the people that dreams do come true, it's just that you must put your heart into it and would be willing to sacrifice. Ms. Lao (School Directress) handed over my certificates while Madam Mercy (School Principal) gave to my mom the medals who wore it around my neck. I shall admit, it's heavy. I can't really remember how many I got but what strucked me most was when people clapped as hard as they can as a sort of recognition to all my hard work. I new it, all my sacrifices had been paid off.

I now have to deliver my speech and if you want to read it, I made a separate entry for it entitled Valedictory Address. It may not be a speech that my friends have expected (They actually want me to make a formal announcement to break up with my boyfriend - but hello! It is I who decides such things right?!) but it's a speech full of heart that I offer to the teachers and the school for molding me into the person I am today. I could see Ms. A (My English Teacher) at the back of the auditorium watching me deliver my speech. She was the one who helped me out with the drafting and editing of my speech since the administrators are eager to hear an excellent one, knowing I'm the one to deliver it. So, Ms. A, thank you so much, for without you my speech wouldn't be as excellent as it is.

After my delivery, I was overwhelmed by the applause of the audience. I had done my part, and things were about to end. But of course, we have to end right, we should sing "Thank You", a traditional song graduates of our school sing before the end of the program. Surprisingly, it wasn't as I have suspected, none of us cried. I really don't know the reason why but maybe, most of us think that crying is just for kids or maybe we also know deep within our hearts that someday, our paths will cross again.

The program had ended and we formally have to march our separate ways but nonetheless, pictures are a sure way to capture unforgettable moments of a person's life.

To my batchmates, I'll definitely miss you. Hope to see you guys once again. Congratulations to each and everyone of us, may the Lord bless us (full-blooded Philadelphians) in our endeavors in life. Thank you so much for the memories ;)