It is my honor to welcome each and every one of you to our graduation.

It’s remarkable to think that our past four years here at Patanad
Elementary School are coming to a close. Let’s take a moment to think
about this journey that we have taken together. It’s been full of twists and
turns and marked by countless challenges to overcome, whether they
were academic, athletic, artistic, or personal.

It is a fantastic achievement for each of us to have made it here today,

and I am proud to share this moment with all of you. But we have not
made it here on our own efforts alone. On behalf of the class of 2017-
2018, I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge those who have gotten us
to where we are today, because the truth is, none of us could have made
it here without them.

Our parents are here today to support us, as they always have. Parents,
though I know we don’t often show it, and though many of you are
probably ready to get us out of the house – I know my family already has
plans to convert my bedroom into a dance studio for my sister- we are
truly grateful for all that you have done for us, and are delighted that you
are here to share in this occasion.

Our teachers, too, are here with us today. The distinguished faculty at
Patanad Elementary School, and their dedication to their students, is a
hallmark of Patanad’s tradition of excellence. These teachers do their
utmost to ensure the success of their students, and we are excited to
share this celebration with them. I would be remiss if I did not
acknowledge the administration that has been vital to our success at
Patanad Elementary as well, including Mrs. Sherril Joy S. Sario, our
Teacher-In-Chargel, our GPTA president Alex Baptista and all our
Teachers all of whom have worked arduously to get our class where it is
today.

Through their efforts, with the support of each other, and by the grace of
God, whose presence we recall several times each day, we have survived
the past four years. But more than just survived, we have thrived here at
La Salle. More than just completing our studies, we’ve become an integral
part of the vibrant Lasallian community. We’ve clinched state
championships, starred in fantastic theatrical productions, and put in
hours of dedicated service to our community. We’ve grown close in the
vast amount of time we’ve spent together, from relaxing at La Salle
Bakery after school, to the one time we shared Pinkberry together on the
lawn in front of the cafeteria, to the many occasions we’ve cheered on
our athletic teams as part of the famous “Beehive,” a school spirit
movement that is just one example of our class’s contributions to the
Academy. By just looking around this assembly, we can pick out the faces
of those friends who have been with us through the best and the worst;
the people without whom most of us probably would have lost our minds
by now, and the people who will be our lifelong friends thanks to our
shared experiences at La Salle.

As we students know very well from our time spent here, La Salle
Academy is a Catholic institution that follows in the tradition of St. John
Baptist de La Salle’s ideals of faith, service, and community. Our
education here at La Salle is rooted in the gospel values and teachings of
Jesus. In essence, our Lasallian education has nourished not just our
minds but our spirits, enriched not just our brains, but our hearts.

To borrow the words of the late Nelson Mandela, “A good head and a good
heart are always a formidable combination.”

In this regard, we are here to celebrate the graduation of an outstanding

class; a distinguished class; a formidable class. A class brimming not only
with knowledge, but with compassion and ambition: the La Salle
Academy Class of 2014. Thank you, and welcome to our graduation.