MES Graduation Speech Introduction Mrs. Ismaelita N. Desabille, barangay officials, guests, teachers, parents, graduates ...

ladies and gentlemen, Maayong buntag kaninyong tanan. Let me first congratulate you on your success at this turning point in your lives. I also extend my felicitations to your parents and guardians for their perseverance, patience and sacrifice to get you through elementary. In a true sense, the victory is as much theirs as it is yours. May I also especially commend the honor graduates the exemplars of excellence and models of fortitude of this great institution. Memories with MES/ Educational Accomplishments Going to school at Maguikay Elementary School has been a family tradition. My uncles, cousins, and other relatives are alumni of this great school. I love this school. I love the way it never stops growing and getting better Besides feeling incredibly honored, your invitation did a great thing for meit caused me to spend some time reminiscing those unforgettable memories in the past. It's been 12 years since I left this schooland I received a diploma that was probably as good as the one you will receive today. At my graduation, all I had was a very big dream and a very big question: I want to become teacher or lawyer or both--- How do I get there from here? Not to boost but to inspire you to continue fighting for your dreams, I am happy to inform you that I just need to climb one more step to reach - not just one, but both of my goals. I am licensed teacher, a graduate of University of San Carlos Science and Mathematics Education Institute and I am incoming fourth year student of the University of Cebu College of Law. Tips to Success Over the next five minutes or so I will offer some tips and advices, influenced heavily by my six years stay in this institutionthat may help you as you continue with your journey in this world. First: Be True to Yourself The most important thing is to be true to yourself. Ultimately thats what got me to this place. I don't live in shadows, I dont live in secrets and I know I will always be okay because no matter what, I know who I am. When I was younger I thought success was something different. I thought success was to be famous, earn a lot of money, own a big mansion, and drive luxurious cars.... My idea of success is different today. Success is to live your life with integrity and not to give in to peer pressure that is to try to be something that you're not. Success is to be honest and to contribute in some way... Follow your passion, stay true to yourself, never follow someone else's path unless you're in the darkness and you're lost and you see a lighted path then by all means you should follow that.

Second: Give Your Best Success demands that you give your best in whatever it is you decide to do. Simply put, it means doing a thing to the best of ones ability. Of course, we do realize that different people are gifted differently in mental dexterity, artistic talent, athletic prowess or motor skills. But it is everyones responsibility to maximize there natural gifts from the Lord. Many of you, I presume, would enroll for high school. But whatever it is you decide to do, you will need to study and study; to develop passion for excellence, a habit of moving on, of being always ahead in learning as well as in training and experience. The electronic-age demands constant updating. Thus, you should not stop learning after leaving this institution. Third: Live a Decent and Ethical Life A true understanding of the right and the wrong and the ability to distinguish between them is ethics. Ethics is an important part of life. To become successful, a person needs to be driven by strong ethical values. From ones work springs dignity, self-worth and self-fulfillment. Thus, to change society, there is a need not just for a change of persons, but change in them. And that change is possible only if and when people accept and practice ethical values. Fourth: Get Involve School life is no at all academics. Neither is learning accomplished only through individual activity. Involvement in the activities of the class, of the school, as well as society can add to your experience, broaden education, and deepen your insights of life. What is involvement? It is participation, not spectatorship. It is activity, not passivity effort versus complacency. It is interest, caring, and concern rather that indifference and unconcern. It is being a useful, influential figure in life and not just being a parasite. Involvement is the relationship element that keeps you in touch with people. It lets you make a difference where you are. Get involve and be a partner in transforming our society, our beloved Maguikay, into a better place to live in. Closing Remarks Lastly, on this great day, when we honor your achievement which is considerable by any standard we might also say thank you to God in full recognition that whatever we achieve in life is 99% a gift. After all, not one person in this gym had anything to do with the decision to be born, to whom wed be born, in what era, in what country, with what health, with what mind. Congratulations to you all and to the families that love you and have supported you during these important years. With the self-confidence you have earned, it is time for you to go out and make your parents, teachers and all Maguikaynons even prouder. Thanksand good luck.