After four long years of hardship, of burning the midnight oil, examinations,
themes, experiments, term papers and reports, comes the day you have been
longing for- Graduation Day. It marks the end of high school and you go to it with
mixed feelings-relief, sadness, happiness, anticipation, hope....
For it's really not the end but the beginning of a new world for graduates. As our
hero Dr. Jose Rizal had said, "Go forth and then the sacred fire of thy genius to the
laurel may aspire to spread around the fame and in victory acclaim through wider
spheres the human name. Dr. Rizal believed that knowledge brought power and
that progress was possible only through enlightenment. He himself set the example
by pursuing his studies with diligence, making use of every opportunity to absorb
all the knowledge he deemed useful to him and his fellowmen. As you pass out of
your high school you will become different men and women, the equal of elders in
taking the responsibilities of life. With youth and freshness you can fashion your
future according to your heart's desire. The degree of your success will depend
much on yourselves -your vision, courage and faith, and will to do and dare. Youth
has a challenge. You have the task to shape new men and women out of yourselves.
Graduation day has greater significance than the triumph over difficulties--it gives
a new born awareness of the magnitude of the work before you. You have learned
many lessons from the trials of the past. Let these guide you now in the intellectual
pilgrimage that lies ahead.