THE 117 seniors who graduated from Kagman High School on Tuesday said they will pursue a college education, join the military or enter the workforce.
At a ceremony held at the American Memorial Park amphitheater, Class of 2022 valedictorian Shannea Mae Javate Dino received the Board of Education Award from BOE Chairman Gregory Pat Borja, Vice Chairman Antonio L. Borja, Secretary/Treasurer Maisie B. Tenorio and Rota Board Member Herman Atalig.
Dasol Erin Kim, the Class of 2022 salutatorian, received the Commissioner of Education Award from Education Commissioner Dr. Alfred B. Ada and Associate Commissioner Eric Magofna.
It was the 20th graduation ceremony of Kagman High School which opened in 2002.
The rest of the top 10 graduates were: Helen Chen (3), Rabeya Akter (4), Kayla Patriz Tanate San Nicolas (5), Ezra Gabriel Camacho Towai (6), Ely Joseph De Guzman Taitano (7), Mikyla Cruz Capalad (8), Alex Benjamin Menchikh Megino (9), and Princess Rikki Dela Cruz Lacson (10).
Other awardees
The Governor’s Award went to Victoria Mary Igitol Pangelinan; the Lt. Governor’s Award recipient was Ely Joseph De Guzman Taitano; and the Principal’s Award went to Jacoby Sylvestry Cabrera.
The OFEGRA or Outstanding Female Graduate Award was presented to Kayla Patriz Tanate San Nicolas; the PTSA Award went to Liekeila’akata Tapua’ialupe Iakopo; the Mayor’s awardee is Helen Chen; and the Ayuyu Spirit Award recipient was Kristan Razon Isip.
The Female Athlete of the Year was Wallis Marie Kaipat Bai while the Male Athlete of the Year was Darren Jose Dela Cruz Pangelinan.
Of the 117 graduates, 28 received the Presidential Award for Educational Excellence-Gold while 49 received the Presidential Award for Educational Excellence-Silver.
What now?
Valedictorian Shannea Mae Javate Dino, in her address, asked her fellow graduates: “What now? What’s next after high school?”
“Jessica from ‘Twilight’ put it best when she says, ‘Who the hello knows?’ ” she said. “It’s insane that high schoolers are put on this pedestal and are expected to know what career path they’ll take and what kind of life they’ll lead five or ten years from now.”
“Parents, teachers, and elders present here today,” she added, “let’s be honest. You guys had no idea at the ripe age of 18 either (and some of you still don’t know what you’re doing),” she added, drawing laughter from the audience.
“Time almost feels like the blind leading the blind, but seniors, as we enter this new chapter of our lives (a cliché I know), go out, meet new people, and learn from them. I didn’t think I’d learn much about life over the course of high school, but my teachers have taught me a lot.”
Milestone
BOE Chairman Gregory Pat Borja, in his remarks, said, “Today marks a milestone in all of your lives. Not only have you endured four years of high school, which is no easy feat, you have done so under extraordinary circumstances.”
He added, “You all have been challenged by typhoons, a pandemic, and the chore of remote learning during the last few years of education — and you made it.”
Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred Ada, a former principal of KHS, noted the students’ strength and perseverance.
“You may have gone through many moments of disappointment, moments of not knowing what’s going to happen next, moments of difficulty, yet, here you are today past those challenges, past those hardships, and past those dark moments,” Ada said.
“Here you are today with the ability to be strong, the ability to endure, the ability to adapt to any situation you are faced with. My dear students, focus on the bright side. Focus on the gift of time you spent with your loved ones, the new things you learned about yourself, and the experiences that shaped who you are today.”
Shannea Mae Javate Dino, Class of 2022 valedictorian and recipient of the Board of Education Award, poses for a photo with her parents, BOE Chairman Gregory Pat Borja, Vice Chairman Antonio L. Borja, Secretary Treasurer Maisie B. Tenorio, and Board Member Herman Atalig.
Dasol Erin Kim, Class of 2022 salutatorian and recipient of the Commissioner of Education Award, poses for a photo with her family and Public School System officials led by Education Commissioner Dr. Alfred B. Ada.
The top ten graduates of Kagman High School are Shannea Mae Javate Dino, valedictorian; Dasol Erin Kim salutatorian; Helen Chen, third; Rabeya Akter, fourth; Kayla Patriz Tanate San Nicolas, fifth; Ezra Gabriel Camacho Towai, sixth; Ely Joseph De Guzman Taitano, seventh; Mikyla Cruz Capalad, eight; Alex Benjamin Menchikh Megino, ninth; and Princess Rikki Dela Cruz Lacson, tenth. Also in photo are Board of Education Chairman Gregory Pat Borja, Vice Chairman Antonio L. Borja, Secretary/Treasurer Maisie B. Tenorio, Board Member Herman Atalig, Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada, KHS Principal Ben Jones, Vice Principals Shirley Norita and Francisca C. Bondoc.
Victoria Mary Igitol Pangelinan receives the Governor’s Award from Gov. Ralph DLG Torres. Also in photo are her parents and KHS Principal Ben Jones.
Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios presents the Lt. Governor’s Award to Ely Joseph De Guzman Taitano. Also in photo is Taitano’s parents.
The Class of 2022 sings the Kagman High School hymn.
