the opportunity to deliver this speech to welcome everyone to today's program reminds

me of a quotation by Confucius that says that “A man who moves a mountain begins by carrying
away small stones.”
To our secondary school principal IV, Doctor Ramilito P. Paloma; Assistant School
Principal II for Academics, Doctor Cherry Grace S. Euldan; Assistant School Principal for
Learner's Support, Doctor Edna P. Curayag; Academic Head, Ma'am Maria Zherwin P. Gatela;
Senior High School Coordinator, Ma'am Candida U. Larosa; Members of the Faculty; Dedicated
and Passionate Teachers; Honored Guest; Dear Parents and Family Members; Fellow Graduates,
Good Morning. It is my pleasure and privilege to send a warm greeting to all of you to our very
exceptional graduation on behalf of Class 2021.
Today marks the fourth Senior High School Commencement Exercise of Valencia
National High School. And, once again, a fresh new batch of graduates will be sent to various
colleges and universities to begin a new chapter in their life. Class 2021, our journey had been a
rollercoaster ride; we cry, laugh, mourn, and almost give up, especially in our last year in this
school.
Nevertheless, despite the additional problems and challenges that the pandemic posed to
our educational system, we managed to survive. Here we are right now celebrating virtually the
culmination of several years of our hard work, of days of studying hard and mastering our
lessons, and burning the candles at both ends. We finally achieved our initial goal with the
support and uplifting wisdom of our parents and family members, the sometimes-unseen hard
work and dedication of our teachers, the active responses of our classmates in responding to our
inquiries, and the nurturing environment of our Alma Mater, Valencia National High School
which molds and equips us to be people who are prepared to meet the difficulties that lie ahead.
Above all, we are grateful to our heavenly Father for providing us with the knowledge and
strength to continue on this long journey.
However, today's ceremony is not the end of all it. Instead, it serves as a tool for us to
prepare for a greater journey in our life. Our graduation is just one of the stones that we carry and
gather to create the mountain of success that we always dreamed of.
Today is a day of celebration, a commemoration of our accomplishments and successes, a
remembrance of how we worked and loved our six years together. In this fleeting moment where
accomplishments are celebrated, it is with immense gratitude that I once again welcome you all
to the fourth Senior High School Commencement Exercise of Valencia National High School for
the academic year 2020-2021. Congratulations Graduates of Class 2021. Good morning once
more, and may God bless us all!