WSR celebrates United Nations Day

William S. Reyes Elementary School marked the founding day of the United Nations yesterday with a pep rally and several performances from the school’s students.

The pep rally kicked off the celebrations with students wearing “Peace builders” T-shirts coming up to the stage.

The school’s student council and advisers followed them, all garbed in different national costumes representing some of the member countries of the U.N.

Principal Alfred B. Ada, for one, was dressed in a Mexican costume, while counselor Rebecca J. Flores was wearing a traditional Chinese dress. Students then listened to a couple of speeches from the WSR staff.

Trixia Limes couldn’t overemphasize the importance of the international body in her address to the students.

“The purpose of the United Nations, as set forth in its charter, is to maintain international peace and security, to develop friendly relations among nations, and to cooperate in solving international economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian problems.”

For his part, Rickylando Gatchalian said the U.N.’s influence in world affairs have fluctuated over the years, but the organization gained new popularity beginning in the last decade.

Public School System commissioner Rita Inos also graced the celebrations. She said she was delighted WSR took time out to commemorate U.N. Day and even admitted getting goose bumps after hearing songs rendered by the children.

Adding to the festivities were the cheers and performances from all grade levels of the school. The children—kindergarten through sixth grade—stomped their feet, marched, danced, cheered and even rapped to their Peace builder’s cheer.

The purpose of the cheer competition, according to principal Ada, was to provide an outlet for positive expression of energies that is creative, fun, and meaningful.

At the end of the competition, WSR staff got to pick the best performances for U.N. Day.

In the kindergarten through 2nd grade level, teacher Devina Dela Cruz’s class bagged first place, while teacher Jonie Aldan’s class took second. For the 3rd through 4th grades, teacher Lani Tudela’s class won first place with teacher Stacy San Nicolas’ students finishing second. The 5th and 6th grade levels were won by the class of Bernadette Padua with Rosie Herera’s class taking second. (Cassie DLG Fejeran)