By Arabella Balderama

The Senior High Orientation Seminar (SHOrSem) themed “Bukas” commenced last Monday, August 7, 2023, marking the beginning of the grade 11 students’ journey in the Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS).

Juniors from across all strands: Accountancy and Business Management (ABM), General Academic (GA), Humanities and Social Sciences (HumSS), as well as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) joined the event, which involved programs held in the Formation Learning Center (FLC) and a mini-involvement fair (MIF) in the ASHS building.

The SHOrSem Committee, along with representatives from various organizations, guided the juniors as they took a glimpse at the year they were about to face.

The opening ceremony, held at the third floor of the FLC Building, kicked off with welcoming speeches from Mr. Noel P. Miranda, the ASHS Principal, and John Benedict Maxino, the Sanggunian President.

“The word ‘bukas’ can mean ‘tomorrow’ or ‘the future’. One way to focus on the future is to think about your future contribution to society and in the world. It is our school’s hope that when you graduate, you not only have good grades and careers but also a positive impact on others through your contribution,” Mr. Miranda said.

“Ito ay isang simula pa lang. Marami pa tayong tatahaking magkasama… Ang sanggunian ay narito para bigyan kayo ng makulay na bukas. Buksan ang inyong sarili at tiyak na mararamdaman niyo rin na kayo ay kabahagi,” Maxino stated.

Aside from the games hosted by the SHOrSem Committee, Dulaang Sibol and the Music Industry Organization also delivered performances—energizing the juniors even more.

Glimpse on involvements

Shortly after the program, the juniors, led by their Crew Moderators, transferred to the ASHS Building for the MIF, wherein all councils, districts, and organizations were able to introduce their advocacies.

HumSS and GA students ran through the first rotation in the morning, while the ABM and STEM strands witnessed the second round of pitching in the afternoon.

The juniors visited booths constructed by core officers of each organization, which aided them in familiarizing themselves with the extra-curriculars they could choose from.

Spokespersons from the different districts served as frontmen who briefly explained the activities of their respective organizations, thus leveling the juniors’ expectations and helping them to decide on non-scholastic activities that may hone their skills.

Aside from the MIF, the Crew Moderators, composed of grade 12 students, also discussed safe space modules, digital citizenship, and a survival guide containing recommendations that could aid the juniors during their stay in the ASHS.

“To be honest, my experience as a Crew Mod has really been fulfilling… I’m really happy to see my previous class and see how different it is but also somehow similar, and I’m just really happy to see everyone have fun,” David Soriano, one of the Crew Moderators, stated.

Unlocking new doors

“Susi ka ng bukas, ASHS,” as the mantra goes, SHOrSem was able to unlock doors of opportunities for the juniors through the one-day event which emphasized the significance of belonging in the ASHS community.

A eucharistic celebration, followed by a closing program entailing various presentations from the Glee Club, Broadway Theatre Troupe of Ateneo, Indayog ng Atenistang Kabataan, Band “Kahit Ano”, and Symphonic Ensemble, kept the fire burning as the day came to an end.

“SHOrSem [so far] has given me a pretty good glimpse of the org culture and the student life in the ASHS, but I will also say it’s a bit overwhelming, and I think everyone could sort of relate to that to some extent, especially since there is a lot to take in quite a short amount of time,” Ari, a HumSS junior expressed.

“Seniors have been very good at guiding us, briefing us on what we can expect … Eventually, I hope we can all adjust, and I know a lot of us had fun today,” she added.

Ms. Czel Lacson, the Assistant Principal for Administration; and Kylie Sy, the SHOrSem Overall Head, delivered concluding remarks which noted the official start of the juniors’ Atenean life.