by Glaiza Salanio

On Thursday, May 30, the Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS) Humanities and Social Sciences (HumSS) Strand and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Strand of Batch 2024 conducted their graduation rites under the theme of “Paglalayag,” at the Ateneo Junior High School covered courts.

A Baccalaureate Mass presided by Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ, the university president, along with other Jesuit priests, started the celebration.

The homily of the ASHS community chaplain, Fr. Edwin Castillo, SJ, talked about the journey of the students and its connection with the visitation of Blessed Mother Mary to Elizabeth.

Similar to Mary, the graduates were encouraged to go beyond familiar surroundings with determination, humility, and joy.

“May you learn to hum a harmony to that melody as you engage in the journeys of your life. And may you always be grateful. Know that in the end, be the road straight or bent, smooth or bumpy, a grateful heart will always burst into song along the path of life, no matter what it throws at you,” Fr. Castillo said.

“Like Mary, do not be afraid to take on new roads. Be brave, for the best things in life are worth journeying for,” he concluded.

After the mass, students and formators marched to their seats to officially start the graduation rites.

The commencement began with the speech of Batch 2024 Salutatorian, Alyzza Reign Arididon of 12-Beyzym, thanking the people who helped her throughout her journey.

She ended her speech by congratulating her fellow graduates and stated,“Hindi naging madali ang lahat pero ngayon ay mas malapit na nating makamit ang ating mga pangarap, mas maraming pintuan at oportunidad ang magbubukas para sa atin.”

The awards for honorable students of each strand, the Luis “Moro” Lorenzo Sportsmanship Award, and the Horacio V. Dela Costa SJ Award for Distinguished Leadership were then given.

Janelle Dzane Fornea of 12-Carvalho, the Batch 2024 Valedictorian, also gave a speech that tackled her experiences entering the ASHS.

She also highlighted the power of being an Atenean, using their education to be a person for and with others.

“To my fellow graduates, let us harness the power of our quality education to achieve our dreams and reach our full potential. In doing so, let us uplift our fellow Filipinos and live out the Atenean value of being persons for and with others,” Fornea said.

“Let us strive to make a change in the world and use our God-given gifts as we set sail onto different paths. Therefore, as we strive for excellence, the greater good shall prevail,” she added.

The guest speaker, Dr. Allan Troy Baquir, the Chief of Medical Professional Services at the East Avenue Medical Center of the Department of Health, shared his life story to inspire the students to continue sailing their boats to reach their goals.

“Do not stop learning. This will make you more resilient as you go along. Do not weep whenever you stumble, but embrace them, since these are opportunities for you to be better,” Dr. Baquir advised.

“Your journey will be filled with moments of calm, where depth has seen the city on boundless horizons. Cherish this, for they are reminders of the joy and wonder that life holds,” he finished.

The awarding of the diplomas and the appointment of the newly-graduates to the Ateneo Alumni Association came right after.

The program ended when the ASHS Batch 2024 sang the school hymn, “A Song for Mary” for the last time in their senior high school life, followed by the recessional.