Lizama is No. 1 among 5th graders at GTC

Benedicto D. Lizama Jr. received eight awards during the Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School’s 5th Grade Promotional Ceremony held at the school cafeteria yesterday, making him the top honor student at this year’s ceremony.

The 11-year-old almost did not have an opportunity to take his seat among his classmates as his name was repeatedly called and he had to keep going up the stage to receive his awards—to the amazement of the audience.

Of his awards, none was bigger than the Commissioner’s Award, which is the highest honor presented by the school for a student in 5th grade.

Lizama’s other awards included the Top 1 award, the Leadership Award, and Presidential Awards for Chamorro Bilingual, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, Language Arts, and Writing and Reading.

Public School System associate commissioner David M. Borja presented the Commissioner’s Award to Lizama on behalf of Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos.

In Lizama’s speech, he said education is the key to success, so he and his fellow graduates should study harder to achieve their dreams and goals in life. Lizama thanked his teachers but reserved his utmost appreciation to his parents for “being the best teachers” in his life.

The Principal’s Award went to Suanne Cenizal Camacho, who also took home the second-highest award in the academic excellence roster. Other Presidential Excellence awardees were Michelle Credo Camacho, Brandon Michael Deleon Guerrero Camacho, Angela Reyes Prado, Brittney Salas Igitol, Glenn Achas Gapor, Ana Marie Farnsworth Teregeyo, Jonathan Philip Celis, and Windy Silva Orcine.

GTC promoted a total of 42 students to 6th grade. Special education student Eulogio Hans B. San Nicolas also received the Citizenship Award, along with Kanneth Jane O. Caberos and Karen Michelle Amirez.

Keynote speaker was Chailang Palacios, who reminded the students to “be kind” in everything they do and to everyone they come across in their lives.

Other guests of honor during the ceremony were Board of Education chair Roman C. Benavente, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Juan L. Babauta, and PSS officials Joanne Nicholls, and Frank Rabauliman.

Benavente and Borja presented the PTA Award to GTC PTA president Candido Taman. The 5th grade students rendered song numbers dedicated to their parents and to the school. The song, entitled Mom and Dad and composed by Tom Agulto and Jesse Aguon, tugged at the hearts of parents in attendance.