Hopwood promotes last batch of junior HS students

A total of 323 students were beaming with pride and excitement as they received their certificate of promotion at Admiral Herbert G. Hopwood Jr. High School yesterday.

This year’s class marked the last junior high promoting batch of students as the school will transition into a middle school structure next year.

Principal Jonas M. Barcinas lauded the students for their academic achievement as the school year began with the destruction of Typhoon Soudelor.

“This celebration is a milestone in every child’s life. It is important that we pause for a while to celebrate,” he added. “We provide our children blessings and motivation to continue on a successful path to high school, college, and a career.”

He encouraged the students’ families to “be there even when they say ‘no’ and give them your love.” He explained, “Healthy students make healthy adults and healthy adults make a healthy community.”

Board of Education chair Herman Guerrero and Education Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan shared Barcinas’ message.

Sablan told the graduates that their future is in their hands.

“It’s all about you and your future. You hold that future, no one else does. In order for your future to really happen you have to start that dream that is very special and which you create,” she added.

The commissioner also thanked Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) for his key role in garnering $6 million in additional federal funding for the improvement of classrooms and other educational facilities. The congressman was flanked by several other local politicians, Public School System officials, and dignitaries.

Sablan expressed her gratitude toward the students’ parents, family, and friends.

This year’s valedictorian, Monique Era Mascarinas, told the audience that although she was often stressed in her studies, the hard work paid off. “After all I became the valedictorian,” she said.

“The harder the challenge, the sweeter the victory,” she added. “There were fun and exciting times. Junior high school was really worth it… We’re finally beginning summer!”

In her salutatory address, Michelle Bermudes thanked her parents and supporters as well. “I am really thankful to those who have had faith in me and who remained supportive,” she said.

Bermudes offered some advice to her fellow classmates: “If you have a set goal in mind, always try to never give up. You may fail but learn to accept and move on…Progress does not happen unless you work hard.”

Kaye Ann Obando received this year’s prestigious Principal’s Leadership award for her outstanding involvement and concern for school activities.

Lesly Ibarra, Glen John Matalog, Roger Keith Valencia, Jed Christian Pagcaliwaga, Tian En Chen, Brianna May Cabrera, and Mya Ngemaes joined the three others in being hailed as the Top 10 students of the class.

The students were greeted with a roaring applause as they sang “I’m from Hopwood” by Felix Rabauliman with their classmates. This year’s promotion theme was taken from a quote by former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”