(PSS) — Mst. Tharatun B. Tazri and Samantha L. Escharcha are the valedictorian and salutatorian of Hopwood Middle School, which held its promotion ceremony on Tuesday, June 3, for 186 eighth-graders now moving on to high school.
Hopwood’s ceremony is the 79th since its establishment in 1949. It is the second largest public school in terms of student population.
Of the 186 promoted students, 43 are Presidential Gold Medal recipients and 69 are Presidential Silver Meda recipients.
The theme of their promotion was “A great accomplishment shouldn’t be the end of the road, just the starting point for the next leap forward” — a quote by American author and businessman Harvey Mackay.
As valedictorian, Tazri received the Board of Education Academic Excellence Award from BOE Chairman Aschumar Kodep Ogumoro-Uludong, Vice Chairman Anthony L. Barcinas, and BOE member Andrew L. Orsini.
Class salutatorian Escarcha received the Commissioner of Education Award from Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho and other PSS officials.
Enrest Jielyan M. Dela Cruz was the recipient of the 2025 Principal’s Leadership Award “not just for what he achieved but for how he carried himself with humility, responsibility, and respect for others.” Whether in the classroom, during group projects, or while support school events, Dela Cruz led by example.
The Outstanding Cadet Leadership Award was presented to Zihao Huang, who was honored for “consistently demonstrating exceptional leadership, academic achievement, citizenship, and patriotic excellence through the school year in the Middle School Leadership Corps Program.”
Subject awards
A day earlier, on June 2, Hopwood announced the recipients of the Best in Subject Awards:
• Physical Education and Health Award — Elyza Brillo (Team E) and Zihao Huang (Team F)
• Middle School Leadership Corps Award — Therese Castillo (Team E) and Zihao Huang (Team F)
• Career Technical Education-Computer Literacy & Entrepreneurship Award — Elyza Brillo (Team E) and Elaia Silva (Team F)
• Career Technical Education-Exploring Agriculture Award — Elyza Brillo (Team E) and Mst. Tharatun Tazri (Team F)
• Chamorro and Carolinian Language & Heritage Studies Award — Elyza Brillo (Team E) and Mst. Tharatun Tazri (Team F)
• English Language Arts Award — Hanna Padolina (Team E) and Dorean Tudela (Team F)
• Mathematics Award —Samantha Escharcha (Team E) and Zihao Huang (Team F)
• Science Award — Samantha Escharcha (Team E) and Mst. Tharatun Tazri (Team F)
Of the 186 promoted students, eight received the Perfect Attendance Award. They were honored for their exemplary dedication by being present “every single instructional day, with no excused or unexcused absences or tardiness.” Moreover, “participation of school-sanctioned activities did not detract these students from their accomplishments.”
The eight students are Louse Achas, Juan Laniyo, Jincheng Li, John Vergara, Marquis Darlucio, Rhia Hernandez, Lang Ley Jin, and Prince Reyes.
The Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year was Zuriel Abejo while the Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year was Jayla Ayuyu.
The eighth graders’ advisers were Arlene Buniag, Victor Cabrera, Didiich Tudela, Rose Jean Camacho, Jasseline Seman, Irish Ann San Nicolas, Angel San Nicolas, Marissa Galang, Marilyn Mendoza, Joan Bahillo, Rebecca Sablan, and Donald Mendiola.
Gratitude
In her address, class valedictorian Tazri said she “is filled with gratitude, memories, [regarding] the lessons, and the people who helped me get here. I want to thank everyone who always believed in me and supported me on the journey to becoming valedictorian.”
“We started 6th grade with a double session, squeezed through 7th grade with 30 plus students in one room, and now we’re ending 8th grade split in half. We went through a lot from the start, and we can proudly say that we all made it as a whole team,” she added.
“Class of 2025, as we close the chapter of middle school and begin a new one in high school, may we all find success. As Henry David Thoreau once said, ‘Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.’ Never settle for the bare minimum. Push beyond limits, go above and beyond…. [A]lways remember to be brave, kind, and never be afraid of trying something new. The future is bright, and it’s ours to shape. Class of 2025, we made it. Congratulations, and here’s to what comes next!”
Not the end
Salutatorian Escarcha, in her address, said their promotion “is not the end of our story. We still have a long road ahead of us full of challenges, opportunities, and moments that will shape who we become.”
“Let us move forward with courage and purpose,” she said. “Let us embrace every challenge as a chance to grow. Let us hold fast to our values, remain true to ourselves, and seek to make a positive impact in the world around us. As we leave middle school behind and step forward into high school, may we carry with us not only knowledge, but compassion, resilience, and the courage to lead.”
She added, “To our families, our teachers, and to every person who helped us along the way — thank you. And to the Commissioner of Education, thank you for your commitment to making education a place where students like us can grow, dream, and rise. Your work impacts every life represented in this school today.”
Hopwood Middle School class valedictorian Mst. Tharatun B. Tazri received the Board of Education Academic Excellence from BOE Chairman Aschumar Kodep Ogumoro-Uludong, Vice Chairman Anthony Dela Cruz Barcinas and BOE member Andrew L. Orsini. Also in photo are her parents and siblings.
Hopwood Middle School salutatorian Samantha L. Escarcha displays the Commissioner of Education Academic Excellence Award she received from Education Commissioner Lawrence F. Camacho and other PSS officials. Joining them on stage are the student’s family members.
The Outstanding Cadet Leadership Award is presented to Zihao Huang by PSS Senior Director Jackie Quitugua.
Enrest Jielyan M. Dela Cruz is the 2025 Principal’s Leadership awardee. Also in photo are Hopwood Principal Vic Borja, Vice Principal Karen Manuel, Dela Cruz’s family members and BOE Chairman Aschumar Kodep Ogumuro-Uludong.
Class valedictorian Mst. Tharatun B. Tazri receives the Board of Education Academic Excellence Award from BOE Chairman Aschumar Kodep Ogumuro-Uludong while Vice Chairman Anthony Dela Cruz Barcinas, and BOE member Andrew L. Orsini look on.
Hopwood Middle School salutatorian Samantha L. Escarcha receives the Commissioner of Education Academic Excellence Award from Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho.
Hopwood Middle School’s eighth graders listen to a speech during their promotion ceremony.
These Hopwood Middle School students will be in high school next school year.
A newly promoted Hopwood student smiles for the camera.
A newly promoted Hopwood student displays the hang-loose sign.
This eighth grader is ready for high school.
A newly promoted Hopwood student poses for the camera.
An eighth grader smiles during the promotion ceremony.
Classroom teachers congratulate promoted students as they step down from the stage.
BOE, PSS and government officials congratulate the 186 promoted students.
