As the school year ends, recognition day approaches. I can't help but reflect on the journey of pursuing my broken dreams again. I find myself imagining where it has begun, from the moment I decided to enroll myself in an Alternative Learning Program, graduated , and continue to grade 11, reigniting the pursuit of my dreams that once shattered.
Here I am ,a 30 year old mother of two , standing on the stage , been recognized for doing my exemplary best at school. I can't help thinking all the odds I've been through just to finish this school year. At my age, I just finished my 11th grade year level escorted by my life partner and my dear father.
May 30,2024, I woke up early to get ready for our recognition day. I took a bathed early and get dress, wearing my scholl uniform. I even forgot to ironed them because our electric was broken, but anyway, it's okay it's just a clothes though , what's more important is our presence as a students.
My partner prepared me some simple breakfast like he always did (rice, noodles,egg). I eat plenty because I do not know what time the event would might end. I don't want to get hungry because if I can't eat on time or if I miss a meal, my head hurts. Seems like, I' been coming down for something.
My parents and my sister eat their breakfast after I am done eating,they will accompany me to the school, aside from my mother. She will not join with us because she can't withstand the heat coming form the sun, her blood pressure may rise up.
My kids are watching some video on my mom's cellphone, and I asked my mom to eye on my kids when I head off to school. I don't bring them with me, because I can't look up to them, and my kids are a little bit naughty and clumsy at times.
My partner get dressed.
When we arrived at the school gym, I let them sit on one of the chairs inside and my sister keep on taking photos.
We wait for quite sometimes because the event was not yet started. I asked my husband to capture us a photo.
The event started with the procession of all achievers along with their parents. Some of the student's attended the event without their parents , they walked the aisle solo. I'm glad that some of the teachers and student teachers escorted them, when they noticed they were walking solely.
My partner ask permission from his boss to leave from work this day so that he could escort me. I was thankful to him that eventhough we live in hardships, with a below minimum salary from working as a vendor in an agribusiness store, he supported my studies. He does his best to provide our basic necessities and allowances in school. Knowing that I have two kids who are already studying and I'm addition to his burdens. But I also help him with our daily expenses, I sell barbecue Evey dusk to earn a penny, for me and my kids allowance, and viands if my partner runs out of money. I am so grateful for his unwavering support and in return,I tried my best to excel in school so that his sacrifices will not go to waste.
Some of the important people in our school, from our active Principal 1, teachers, committees and in our community, the councilors, walk down the aisle to the stage as a respected guests and to witness this memorable occasion.
The event started with the national anthem and a prayer. Then some speeches from our principal and event speaker.
I was assigned to give a welcome address for everyone. You know what, this is the most fearsome time for me , because I was really afraid of giving speeches specially to a large audience. I don't have the confidence, I have a stage fright I can tell. I made my speech a day before the event, because the speech I made the other day was wrong, I wrote a words of gratitude instead of welcome address. I was corrected by one of our teacher, who asked me to create another one. I created another one and sent it to her via messenger so she can check it out and correct all the errors. I was settled, and I was cramming to memorize my speech,actually I have no problems with that, my only problem is, the nervousness I will feel. And I was right, the time I stand up and walk into the stage, I can hear my heart beating faster, that loud 🤣. But I keep on telling myself I can do it, many times. I was relieved when the event speaker, whom used to be my subject teacher told me ( kaya mo yan). I was motivated by her words and my nervousness I felt was lessened and I deliver my speech, not that well but atleast I did it and I overcome one of my fear.
The most awaited part of every school recognition day is the awarding of the honor students. This is the time where we can finally say to ourselves " I nailed it". Our industry and consistency or prioritizing our education are well paid off . This is the time where all our efforts , hardworks and dedications are recognized and honored.
As I stand up in the middle of the aisle along with the other students beside our family escorts, waiting for our names to be called and get our well deserve medals, I can help but keep on smiling. You can really tell in my pictures that I am happy of the achievements I received eventhough I'm a bit old for this .
Me and my father, waiting for our turn to come up stage.
I let my father to accompany me on stage as my name was called to be awarded. I let him experience receiving medals and put them around my neck. When I was young, it was always my mother who get used to walk with me on stage, because my father would not come home on my recognition day, he keep on working to provide for us. So basically speaking, this is his first to experience of such thing. And I was glad that I made him experience that, it takes too long and was already late but atleast he experienced it, the overwhelming feeling. I guess he was nervous also because we wrongly put the one medals on my shoulder 🤣.
This is not the end but a testament of a new beginning, a starter of a better future, and I am manifesting for that. I was still far from my goal and I'm still uncertain about the future but I promise that I will do my best at every circumstances.
Let me tell you that all the awards, medal and certificates we received and some sort of accolades will not define success itself. It is found in the kindness we shown, the resilience we exhibit and the positive impact we make to others.
This kind of event is a great reminder that we can achieve great things when we believed in ourselves and support one another. It also a great motivation for other students to do their best and strive in school.
I hope I motivate other people of pursuing education no matter what your age is. Schools are always there and won't run as many says, but come to think of it that times passes by and as years goes by we won't be aware that we are already old and regret not finishing schooling. As long as there is still chance to pursue education, grab it. Who might know what the destination ahead is waiting for us.