My niece, Patricia Hannah, graduated First Honor at the Saint Anthony School (SAS) on March 29, 2007. Patricia Hannah is my sister's youngest of four kids - all girls. I am aware of the hard work she put in and the huge effort she exerted in getting to the top of her class. She is simply remarkable! This was the Message of Thanks she delivered during the 2007 SAS Graduation Day.
"The School Administrators, Faculty and Teachers, friends and family, fellow students graduating today and those who will be given recognitions for various academic and co-curricular achievements...good afternoon!
I feel both privileged and proud to be standing here today, representing Saint Anthony School's Class of 2007, and I am grateful that you could all be here this afternoon to share in our celebration. It was quite a journey we have had together! The many friendly battles we engaged each other in, such as the race to get to the top of our class. Who can forget those light moments when we had nothing but plain, educational fun during field trips, school intramurals, religious retreats, and quiz bees? I would like to repeat the words of someone wise who once said that "...a journey is best measured in friends gained rather than miles covered." I am truly pleased that the friendships we have developed will reflect the amazing trip we have shared for the rest of our lives.
Eight years ago in 1999, I entered Saint Anthony School as a four-year old Nursery student. It was very easy at that time for my parents to have selected this school as my gateway to a long journey for one reason - proximity...SAS is only a couple of blocks away from where we live. And like any other kid that age, I was then still unmindful of the future and the many uncertainties that lie ahead. Curiously though, yet with a feeling of happiness as school years come and pass, I find myself returning to the old, familiar walls of the same school. But proximity was no longer the reason why I kept coming back. It was the realization, for both my parents and me, that I was becoming a fine product of a complete education - spiritually, academically, and even athletically. Yes, SAS has given me these and more.
My journey to where I am now all began with a goal I made four years ago in 2003 when I was in Grade 3. That goal was for me to complete my Primary education at the top of the class. I was right on track, having topped the Grade 3 class that school year. At the end of the succeeding school year, I received on stage during the SAS Recognition Day my gold medal for being the First Honor of the Grade 4 class, and again a year later for being the First Honor of the Grade 5 class. That goal I made for myself, while seemingly unrealistic at the time I initially set my mind on it, gave me a direction and plan to work on. I therefore encourage all of you my fellow students to set goals for yourselves and to strongly stand for something that can give your lives a direction and purpose.
It is fitting at this point that I request the graduating class to show our profound gratitude to our parents for their infinite love, unquantifiable support, and the long, difficult hours spent to see us through all these years. Thank you and we love you all, great moms and dads!
Let us not forget to express our deepest appreciation to our siblings, our extended family, our friends, mentors, our distinguished and beloved Principal Mrs. Maria Ana Imperial-Manga, the entire faculty and staff of SAS and Saint Francis of Assisi College, and to all others I may have missed. For without their dedicated support and hard work, we would not be sitting here today. Remember to always take the time out to sincerely thank them for helping us along our way.
To the great teachers of SAS who truly understand and exhibit deep cognizance of their subjects, thank you for sharing your knowledge and for being such wonderful and caring people. We, your humble students, will always remember each precious moment shared with you.
In closing, let me address this one final message to the faculty and staff of SAS, my dear teachers, and my classmates. I WON'T MISS YOU. For certainly, in just a little over two months from now, I will be back in those old, familiar walls of a great institution that has molded me into who I am today. I look forward to be with most of you again as I enter the next level of the four-year Secondary education at Saint Anthony School, the very same school that is so close not only from where I live, but also to my heart."
