Article by Arabella Balderama

On May 9, 2023, the Office of Student Activities (OSA) conducted its annual year-end awarding ceremony on the second floor of the Formation and Learning Center (FLC) building to recognize the students who excelled outside academics along with the notable projects they had done during the school year.

With the incoming and outgoing Sanggunian Core assisting them during the event itself, the OSA moderators mainly organized the OSA Awards to acknowledge the hard work that students had dedicated to their respective organizations.

The program began with a prayer led by Fr. Braulio Dahunan, followed by the opening remarks of Mrs. Czel Lacson and a message from the outgoing Sanggunian President, Nadhine Acul-Acul.

Intermission numbers from the Music Industry Organization, Symphonic Ensemble, and Dulaang Sibol were performed between the awards distribution.

Ms. Marydel Alaba, one of the OSA moderators, said that the ceremony’s goal was “to gather the student body, especially those who were active during the school year” and “to recognize those who really excelled and gave so much effort in the area of extracurricular activities,” as encouraging these non-scholastic involvements is part of the holistic formation in the senior high school.

The recipients of the awards were determined by the combined evaluations of classes, strand councils, and moderators. Faber, Brebeuf, and Xavier awardees were given medals, while De Hoyos awardees acquired pins; Gawad Lingkod projects were awarded plaques.

Like any other project, the OSA awards also had its fair share of challenges to overcome—from the lack of manpower to overlapping schedules and inevitable external factors, such as the students getting sick during that time.

“Walang magiging perfect project, mayroon at mayroong area for improvement. Malaking factor na as much as possible, we didn’t want to involve the student organizations in the preparation of the OSA awards because it is for the students,” Ms. Alaba stated.

Despite these obstacles, the ceremony was pulled off, closing with messages from Mr. Tootsie Delos Santos and the Principal, Mr. Noel P. Miranda, followed by the singing of A Song for Mary.

New Milestones, New Beginnings

Seeing their hard work pay off is one of the best things a student can fulfill. Not only are they proud of themselves, but so are their parents and teachers who witnessed the heavy load being stacked on their backs.

“I’ve seen the challenges that they faced during the school year, and them wearing their medals with pride and honor […] and it being a representation of their hard work is such a beautiful experience,” said Ms. Alaba, adding that it was also fulfilling for her when parents took pride in their children’s accomplishments.

With a new school year fast approaching, Ms. Alaba advised students to keep seeking opportunities because leading can be done by anyone in their own unique way as long as they are willing to learn, as it is an avenue for growth.

“Go and lead. Go make as many mistakes as you can. It’s there where you learn and be better people,” Ms. Alaba concluded.