Cabrera, Santos are Chacha Oceanview’s top graduates

Mannelyn Aida Cabrera and Frances Rosemarie Santos were named as this year’s most outstanding students of Chacha Oceanview Middle School, receiving the prestigious Board of Education and Commissioner of Education awards during the school’s promotion ceremony yesterday.

Cabrera was named class valedictorian for school 2014. She is the daughter of Jeanette and Manuel Cabrera. Santos, meantime, was bestowed the salutatorian honors. She is the daughter of Dorothy and Jess Santos.

The two described their middle school days as hard years of learning that they would have never successfully finished without the people who taught them and guide them throughout their lives. They especially recognized their parents, family members, and mentors who have all been instrumental in their education.

In their joint address, the two said: “As we leave this campus and move on to the next chapter in our lives, we will carry with us not only the book of knowledge, but also the life lessons you’ve taught us.”

Chacha Oceanview Middle School promoted 159 eighth graders to high school with the theme “Deeply rooted in success.”

All promoted students are expected to continue their secondary schooling at nearby Kagman High School.

Two other students were bestowed the Principal’s Leadership Award: Edson Valdisimo and Frances Brianna Rago.

Five other graduates complete the list of this year’s awardees. They included Trinity Mae Camacho, who was hailed best in Algebra, science, and language arts; Elyshia Jayleen Pangelinan, who was selected best in Leadership Corps; Keimiella Rechelle Babauta, best in Social Studies; and Zavannah Mertilde Aldan, best in Chamorro Language & Heritage Studies. Salutatorian Frances Santos was also awarded best in computer application.

According to BOE member Marylou Ada, who delivered the congratulatory remarks on behalf of the board, this year’s promotion ceremony is historic as the 150 promotees are the first batch of students to graduate from the Chacha Oceanview Middle School. It was only this school year when the school was reconfigured into a middle school after operating for many years as a junior high school.

PSS associate commissioner Glenn Muña encouraged the graduates to honor their parents whom he described as the “sunlight, water, and nutrients” of “special trees”—their children.

According to Chacha principal Vince Dela Cruz, this year will also be the last that the school will accommodate middle schoolers from Tanapag as a result of the opening of the new Tanapag Middle School in September. About 60 to 70 students from the village, he said, will be accommodated in the new campus.