This year’s commissioner of education award was Jackie Ogumoro who also received special awards in language arts, social studies, heritage studies.
Ogumoro, 11, is the daughter of Therese Ogumoro-Ruak and Joe Ruak.
In her message, Jackie Ogumoro expressed her gratitude to her teachers, friends and family members who provided her support and assistance.
“I especially thank my parents who have shown me love, given me their untiring support in all my school work and encouraged me to strive in doing my best in school,” Jackie Ogumoro said.
Majority of the 119 promoted students will go to Chacha Oceanview Junior High School.
Ogumoro said they are excited to see what awaits each of them in this “new chapter” of their lives.
“We are now leaving elementary school but we still have a long way ahead of us to achieve — junior high, high school and college. We just have to continue to strive for the best in our education,” she added.
This year’s KagES principal’s awardee was Jaydene Ermitanio.
The 11-year-old student is the daughter of Alma and Frank Ermitanio.
She is also the recipient of other special awards and was also commended for her participation in the primary grade forensic leagues.
“I am very honored for all these awards,” she told Variety, adding that she will be forever grateful to the school teachers and administrators for all the knowledge, guidance and support given to her.
“Today is a special day because we are about to venture into a different chapter of our educational life. We have proven to ourselves that hard work and perseverance will set you one step closer to our goals and dreams…and today, we have proven with the hard work, sacrifices and the dedication that we have endured, we are moving on to the sixth grade!” Ermitanio told her fellow students.
Ermitanio, the school’s student council president, challenged her fellow students to “boldly face future challenges and obstacles.”
“Whatever hardships and obstacles we face, we should not give up but overcome them,” she said.
The top 10 students were Ogumoro, Ermitanio, Mirika Talalemotu, Maricar Valdez, Mebric Navisaga, Nicolette Ngirausui, Dionne Deleon Guerrero, Emmalou Cabrera, Nathan Angui, Jeromalyn Santos, and Amanda Atalig.
Other special awardees included Raymond Nakazato, Jaime Manglona, and Christine Route who received the KagES Peace Builder Award.
