By Jelena Villorente

The Ateneo is known for a plethora of virtues, being a Jesuit school that exemplifies a conglomerate of faithfulness. From the 5C’s to the Ignatian values, the Ateneo is relentless in its path towards a Christ-centered disposition — but in the end, what is Ateneo’s essence without its vocation of service? 

Panning into the context of the Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS), servitude is well-wrought and well-rounded — and in pertinence to the opportunity of service, the ASHS is nothing but generous, providing an array of avenues towards the formation of students into becoming persons for and with others.

Fresh, Steady Steps

At the earliest level for ASHS freshmen, the invitation to service first sparks with the call for class officers. Pursuant to classroom-centric leadership, it’s the first step — a year-long commitment towards building a comfortable space for classmates to thrive.

Springing forth from that, students are then invited to join organizations of their interest, clubs with foundations that range from simple hobbies to community-based advocacies that extend beyond the ASHS itself. No doubt, the diversity of these groups is sure to propel one to pursue their passions — and soon, extend their service within a team that cultivates its esoteric interests. 

Further into the year, opportunities also come in the form of volunteer groups for special occasions, such as batch projects and school-wide events. All students are invited to join the team behind these meticulous operations — and in light of goal-oriented service, these groups are ever-burgeoning.

Then, penultimately, comes the time to summon the pinnacle of students’ willingness to serve in pursuit of a spot within the Sanggunian — the student government of the ASHS. Fanning the flame of value for the student body, the Sanggunian provides an outlet for those brazen enough to champion the elections and be a member of the council that pulses with the beat of servitude. 

At last, however, one inextricable aspect of freshmen service is the Tulong Dunong (TD) program — a formative initiative of the ASHS’ Christian Life Education (CLE) department that extends a hand towards those in need. Pursuant to the value of humble assistance, TD enables juniors to immerse themselves into the context of public school children, inside and outside of their classrooms, and to offer them aid through planned tutoring sessions.

Its very foundation is a noble one, sprouting from an empathetic epiphany surrounding the youth and limited access to education. This year marks TD’s 50th since its establishment in the Ateneo — and even then, it’s done nothing but touch hearts and form bonds, undoubtedly the zenith of junior servitude. 

Ultimately, one could say that the value of service is the cornerstone upon which the ASHS stands, enabling every student to flourish in their capability. No matter how diverse the passion, the ambition, or the winding road being taken, this network eventually converges atop the pursuit of humble servitude — and in its trail, students are formed to work not only for themselves, but also for the wellness of those around them.

An Everlasting Mission

Truly, service in the ASHS takes many forms, inspiring young minds to think and act in pursuit of empathy and humility. It’s a mission that never fails, one that strives to be palpable in its every manifestation.

In the end, the ASHS is no stranger to servitude and wants nothing more than for its students to embody this virtue wherever paths may take them. As another year begins and students are off to new roads, service will always glimmer — lingering in the hope that its call, its everlasting mission, may soon be answered.