GMS holds elementary, kindergarten graduation

Sixth grader Aljanah Joan F. Manabat led the graduates of Green Meadow School’s 6th Elementary and 13th Kindergarden Commencement Exercise held at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multipurpose Hall last Saturday.

Manabat was the valedictorian of GMS’ Class of 2016 and in her valedictory address encouraged her fellow graduates not to give up whatever situation they may face in the future.

“We may not know what will happen in the future. There will be success and failures, but whatever comes our way, we should never give up. Thomas Edison failed a lot of times while doing his inventions, but that did not stop him from keep on trying,” Manabat said.

Joining Manabat on the graduates list in the elementary school were salutatorian Angeline Norcio, Rownel Jody Coloma, Rayven Daca, Eonzen Dela Paz, Ashley Kate Palacios, and Earl Lawrence Salamat. Nineteen K3 and 18 K5 students also participated in GMS’ graduation ceremony. GMS president and principal Milagros Songcuan presented the candidates for graduation, while the school’s chairman of the board of directors, Ador Songcuan, confirmed the graduates.

First lady Diann Torres was the keynote speaker in the ceremony and urged the graduates to be good in whatever they do.

“Whatever you are, be a good one. Today, you are a student, so be a good one,” Torres said.

To demonstrate how the graduates/students are good ones, the first lady challenged them to sing the missing parts of nursery rhymes, drawing a good reception from both K3 and K5 students. For the elementary graduates, Torres, who used to teach at Saipan Southern High School, fielded them math questions.

“See, these students are good ones. Parents you should be proud,” Torres said.

She congratulated the parents of the graduates for all their sacrifices and support to their children.

“This is a special day for parents, too because all the time and efforts you spent preparing your children for school are worth it. Your children are now ready for another journey and I know you will be with them every step of the way,” she added.

For her part, Milagros Songcuan, she said the power to reach their dreams is now on the students’ hands as they begin a new chapter in their education life. She also quoted Nelson Mandela, who said, “education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world.”