Forced to do social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tinian Jr.\/Sr. High School held a virtual and drive-thru graduation ceremony yesterday that saw Anne Francesca Libut Sanchez being recognized as the class valedictorian.<\/p>\n
Sanchez was genuinely surprised at being conferred the honor, saying her sole focus wasn\u2019t academics so much as her leadership roles in school. \u201cAlong with focusing on my academics, I also focused a lot of my time into my leadership positions, my service hours, my after-school activities, so it came as a shock to me to find out that I was the valedictorian. This revelation made me believe that hard work and effort truly does help you achieve your goals. I know it\u2019s been said a million times, but it was the recipe that helped me become the Class of 2020 valedictorian,\u201d she said in her valedictory speech. <\/p>\n
Sanchez credits her achievement to her friends, classmates, teachers, school administration, club advisors, and her parents and family members. \u201cFor four years, you\u2019ve all watched me stress about my hours and grades, you’ve all watched me run around campus juggling my National Honors Society and JROTC responsibilities. You\u2019ve all watched me grow and prosper into the person you\u2019re seeing right now,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Although her class\u2019 senior year experience was cut short, she\u2019s glad she was able to experience graduation day with them. \u201cTo the Class of 2020, I know this year has been cut short. We couldn\u2019t experience our last months together as a class, but I\u2019m glad that everyone is here to experience the day we\u2019ve all been waiting for. Thank you for four amazing years in Tinian High School. I\u2019ll hold o nto these experiences and remember the people that made a difference in my life,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Salutatorian Dea Marie Aubrey Rempillo Patio congratulated her class for being able to finish the school year despite the pandemic. \u201cChange can be scary. The abrupt news about the pandemic happened and what do we have to show for? That we are still able to find ways to adapt, to keep moving. We\u2019ve come a long way\u2014pushing through the online courses, finishing our learning packets, and doing everything digitally. Now it\u2019s time to give our virtual goodbyes,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Although it wasn\u2019t the graduation she or her class expected, Patio said she is still proud of the resiliency they have demonstrated throughout their years together. \u201cI\u2019ve known most of you since first grade and have grown with you. This isn\u2019t how I expected to graduate but I am proud of you, of us. We truly are a bright and resilient group. Thank you for making my junior high and high school years one of the most hectic and surreal moments of my life. I look forward to all your future endeavors,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
The rest of the awards given out were:<\/p>\n
\t\u2022\tAnne Francesca Libut Sanchez: Valedictorian, Board of Education Award, honors<\/p>\n
\t\u2022\tDea Marie Aubrey Rempillo Patio: Salutatorian, Commissioner of Education Award, honors<\/p>\n
\t\u2022\tCharlene Grace Linis Danganan: PTSA Award & Principal’s Award, honors<\/p>\n
\t\u2022\tRyana Espartero Diaz: Honors<\/p>\n
\t\u2022\tJulia Raine Medina Biton: Honors<\/p>\n
\t\u2022\tKaia Jade Fleming Lazaro: Honors<\/p>\n
\t\u2022\tIna Jae Cepeda Dela Cruz: Honors<\/p>\n
\t\u2022\tShanice Jorgette Arriola King: Honors<\/p>\n
\t\u2022\tKeyla Borja Flores: Honors<\/p>\n
\t\u2022\tJoelina Marcella Piloto Untalan: Honors<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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