Rota Jr. Sr. High School promotes 32

The Dr. Rita H. Inos Jr. Sr. High School promoted 32 of its eighth graders last Tuesday via drive-thru certificate distribution and a virtual ceremony that was viewed online.

Due to COVID-19 measures in places, schools are forced to be creative with their promotion ceremonies, with Dr. Rita H. Inos Jr. Sr. High School pulling off a hybrid drive-thru and virtual ceremony—a feat that school principal Tanya King said will go down in history as the first of its kind.

“Due to the unforeseen COVID-19, you are the first class that has changed the way we celebrate the end-of-the-year ceremony where we honor your parents and guardians and celebrate your academic accomplishments. Therefore, this event will be truly historic and extraordinary,” she said.

King added that this year’s promotion is just as unique as the students who are living it. “You will be the first pioneers in a paradigm shift in education, an exciting and new adventure in technology and remote learning to prepare you with the skills needed after high school. It has been an honor to watch you mature, learn from your mistakes, and challenge us as well as yourselves. Your theme, C-4, is most appropriate because it represents the fuse needed to be change agents. On behalf of the RHI family, we wish you the greatest joy, blessings, and success as you embark on your next chapter,” she said in her message to the graduates.

Éclair Marj M. Ladao, the school’s valedictorian, was given the opportunity to deliver her speech virtually, where she stressed that no matter how big or small a goal is, it can be reached with dedication, determination, and focus. “There were times where I was tired and wanted to give up. But with the support of everyone around me, I conquered those hard times and turned those mistakes into lessons. Like William Jennings Bryan once said, ‘Destiny is not a matter of chance. It is not a thing to be waiting for. It is a thing to be achieved.’ I am very happy with the goals that I have achieved so far and I can’t wait to fulfill all my other dreams,” Ladao said.

Salutatorian Tolia Lorenza A. Quitugua took the opportunity to encourage her classmates to make the next chapter of their life count. “Throughout the hustle and bustle of high school, stay true to yourself and keep in mind that we all have a future to make. What we do now will be the foundation for the rest of our lives. So make it count,” she said.