Graduation

The school year is over! The graduation ceremony was held last Thursday. The teachers and students all worked hard to set up the stage and decorate it with enough calla lilies to build a float. Parents slowly started to drift onto the campus as the seniors rushed around tucking in shirts, combing hair and looking for neck ties. Once everyone had gathered and was prepared for the the baccalaureate mass...it began to rain. So everyone picked up a chair and we all moved indoors. Luckily two of our classrooms had a divider in the middle that we were able to push back and everyone was able to cram inside. And just as the mass finished, the sun came out! So, everyone picked up their chair again and out we went.

Giving the message speech sent from the Secretary of Education

The graduates paraded across the stage with their parents, then there were speeches given by guests and the valedictorian. The diplomas were handed over one by one to the students and their parents, and then awards were given to those with accomplishments including honor students, sports champions, and competition winners. The morning was finished off by a song by the graduates and an oath of loyalty to the school. Overall, the ceremony took about four hours.

Nice ties! Turns out I'm the only one in this barangay who
knows how to tie a tie. The boys had to line up!

The girls in their native skirts.

Again, just as the principal was thanking everyone for coming, it began to rain again and everyone rushed back inside to shake hands with the graduates and give them flowers and other small tokens. Although I didn't teach the seniors, many were some of my favorite students and I always enjoyed casually talking to them. In the chaos of picture taking I was able to request the autograph of everyone, congratulating them and reminding them they're all capable of doing great things, and who knows...one day they might be famous!

Taking the Oath of Loyalty

Following the graduation ceremony, it is tradition in our small community for all of the graduates to have a "blow-out" party. It's the closest thing to Halloween they have here. Small groups of people go from house to house of all the graduates. But instead of a few pieces of candy, everyone is invited inside for a full meal!