Melanie Reyes, News, Communication Management Office
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) recently held its 7th Senior High School (SHS) graduation ceremony, celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2024. The event took place at the PUP Sta. Mesa Campus on July 12.
The ceremony was graced by notable figures from the university administration, faculty, and guest speakers who delivered inspiring messages to the graduates.
Principal Sotto delivered an inspiring message to the graduates, highlighting their unique position as the last batch to receive the government’s voucher subsidy program.
“Batch 2024, kayo ang huling pangkat na pinagkalooban ng voucher subsidy program ng ating gobyerno, ang Kagawaran ng Edukasyon, na tinanggap at nakapasok dito sa ating Sintang Paaralan. Kaya’t marapat lamang na matutunan ninyong ibalik sa ating Inang Bayan ang pribilehiyong ito sa pamamagitan ng inyong taglay na kakayahan upang paglingkuran ang sambayanan sa mga darating na panahon na kayo naman ang mamumuno sa kanya-kanyang larangan na inyong tatahakin,” Sotto remarked, urging the graduates to give back to the nation with their acquired skills and knowledge.
Kathleen R. Paragele, the HUMSS track valedictorian, reflected on the transformative experience of studying at PUP.
“In our Sintang Paaralan, I mostly spent two meaningful years with my classmates and professors whom I thought would only help me in my pursuit of academic excellence, filling my mind with knowledge from the books. However, it is not only academic knowledge that I learned from them but also the enlightenment about our social reality, the courage to be critical, speak up, take responsibility, and be kind as we face this roller coaster ride called life. Realizing these now, I’d say that if I could turn back time, I would still choose PUP to be my senior high school as the community unleashed my brightest potential to be an enlightened and dignified person of my own that has a heart to serve the people.”
James O. Tero, the STEM track valedictorian, spoke about the importance of perseverance and self-belief in overcoming challenges.
“Overcoming challenges requires breaking out of our own shell to test and surpass our limits. Ardent passion and determination are key to mastering what once seemed unattainable. However, there are also times where we may not meet our own or others’ expectations, like the scores in our exams, quizzes, and grades, but remember that these numbers don’t define us. They don’t determine our future because we define it by our own actions, not by these mere numerical values.”
The event also featured two guest speakers, both distinguished alumni of PUP SHS program. Melanie Carnage, who graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, majoring in Microbiology, shared her journey from being an SHS student to achieving academic excellence at the university level. Miravelles, another former “Iska” who graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in Marketing Management, spoke about her achievements, including being a Top 3 Nominee for the Dr. Andrew L. Tan Leadership Excellence Award and an Agora Youth National Awardee.
Both speakers emphasized the importance of hard work, determination, and the value of the education they received at PUP.
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