Hello there Madlang Hivers! It’s me @juvithavibes again bringing you another exciting blog to dive into. So grab a coffee, and get comfy. It’s been a while since I published my last blog, I was busy nowadays.
In this blog, I just want to share a special moment I had during the Moving Up Ceremony at Inoburan Elementary School this 2025. As a student teacher, it was my first time being part of something like this not just attending but actually helping prepare for the event. It wasn’t anything grand or fancy but it was full of meaning especially for the students and their families.
A few days before the event we were already busy with preparations. Everyone in school was moving teachers, staff, student teachers like me. We all had different roles. One of the tasks given to us student teachers was to make ribbons for the recognition and awarding.
It seemed like a simple job but when we started doing it, I realized how important those ribbons were. Each one would be worn by a student who worked hard all year.
We tied them carefully checked the color and made sure they were neat.
We sat together, cutting and folding ribbons, choosing colors, and assembling the garlands with care, I realized how much love and effort goes into these small details.
Every garlands we prepared would be placed on a special guest and for respected teacher. These small items carried meaning they were symbols of gratitude, recognition, and celebration.
The rest of my co-student teachers assigned to decorate the stage and this is the final look of the stage.
The morning of the ceremony came quickly. I remember waking up earlier than usual a bit nervous and also excited. When we arrived at the school the place was already alive with parents taking photos students smiling in their uniforms and teachers giving last minute reminders. The chairs were arranged the stage was ready, and the banner with the theme “Generation of Unity: Partners for the New Philippines” was hanging proudly in front.
The program started with the processional (ceremonial entrance of the graduates) and that’s when everything started to feel real. That theme really made me think. It’s true these students are the next generation. And unity really is something we need more of now. It’s not just about moving up a grade level. It’s about growing into someone who can be a part of something bigger. I think that’s what the ceremony was trying to show us.
As the graduates and completers together with their parents walked in line dressed neatly in their uniforms and moving proudly to the music you could feel the excitement and emotion in the air.
After the processional the program began with an opening prayer followed by the national anthem and the school hymn. There were a few speeches and even if they were short they were full of encouragement. I remember one teacher said something like, “You’re not just students today you are future leaders.” That line stuck with me.
After the inspirational speech of one of the guests they started giving out the certificates for the completers and graduates. You could see the excitement on everyone’s faces.
Next were the Grade 6 graduating students. Their names were called one by one and they slowly walked across the stage. Some were nervous some were smiling but all of them looked proud. It was their big moment.
As they reached the front their parents came up to pin the “Graduate” ribbon on them. That part really made the moment more touching. You could see how proud the parents were some were smiling so wide and a few had tears in their eyes. That small act of pinning the ribbon said a lot. It showed how far their child had come and how much love and support was behind them.
After that came the performances. Some of the students sang, others danced. I could tell they practiced really hard. Everyone in the crowd was smiling parents recording with their phones, teachers clapping along, and fellow students cheering for their classmates. It wasn’t a big stage or anything flashy but it was full of heart.
There were so many proud moments students hugging their parents, their classmates and the teachers patting them on the back some of them even crying a little. You could feel how much this meant to everyone. These kids may be young but for them this day was a big deal. And honestly it reminded me when I was in elementary before.
After the program everyone stayed around for pictures. Students grouped up with their classmates, families took turns posing on stage and some even shared snacks together.
It felt like a real celebration not just of achievements but of the journey. The struggles, the learning, the friendships and all the little moments that got them to this point.
After the Moving Up Ceremony the next part of the program was the Recognition Day for Grades 1 to 5. Even though they weren’t graduating yet this day was still special for them. It was their moment to be appreciated for all their effort throughout the school year.
The mood was still cheerful. The students looked excited. Before the awarding started one of the teachers gave a short message about how every achievement deserves to be celebrated. It reminded me that even small progress matters and every student deserves to feel proud.
And then, while I was standing near the stage I saw a few of my students from Grade 3. They were smiling proudly while waiting to called their names so I took a picture of them. I felt so happy in that moment seeing them recognized for their hard work made me proud as their student teacher.
When it was time for the awarding I stayed nearby so I could watch my students walk on stage. I felt proud just seeing them go up there and receive their certificates and medals.
After the program, we student teachers helped clean up and fix the chairs. The place was a little messy after all the excitement. Without anyone telling us, we just started doing what needed to be done. Some of us picked up trash, others folded chairs, and a few helped take down decorations.
We laughed while working shared stories about our favorite parts of the program and just helped each other finish everything. It felt nice to be working as a team.
And to my fellow student teachers thank you for working hard and being part of something that really matters. We may still be learning but this day showed us what teaching is really about. It’s not about perfection it’s about presence, support, and heart.
Even though we weren’t in the spotlight being there behind the scenes made me feel proud. We were part of something special from the preparation to the program and even during the cleanup. It made me realize that teaching isn’t just about standing in front of a class it’s also about supporting, helping, and being present in every moment to celebrate whether big or small.
I’m proud that I got to be part of this chapter, even just for a short while.