Welcome Address

Ms. Ella Marie B. Soriaga Class Salutatorian To accomplish GREAT things, we must not only ACT, but also DREAM, not only PLAN, but also BELIEVE. To the Director/Principal, Sr. Rosalinda V. Guerrero, O.P. and the rest of the Administrators, the dedicated and hardworking personnel of St. Dominic Academy, distinguished guests, the ever supportive andcontributory parents, my fellow graduating students, associates and friends, Ladies and Gentlemen. Let me all welcome you to our 60th Commencement exercises with heartfelt greetings and renowned salutations. A Good Afternoon to all! Friends, Batch mates, co-Dominicans, People of this Institution. Today, we are all gathered here to have the most indelible part of our lives so far. Today, all of us are set to reap the fruits of our hard works. Today, our feet are about to step in to the entrance of another stage of our selves. Today, we are all about to turn the page of the book of our lives to its next chapter. Class of 2011, lend me your ears. It is true that in this day, we sever our ties with this institution. We would end this day by walking away from the lives of our peers and friends. Just imagine, this would be the last time all of these faces you see will be together in one place, not in many years. All the friendships, all the camaraderie, all the barkadahan, all of the links and bonds we built together for years will now be taken away from us in just a blink of an eye.We would now miss all the things we do in High school, the good and the bad. We would now long for our so-called Second Parents, our teachers. No more bundles of reminders from our advisers. No more chickahan with our old classmates. No moretaking of recess with the friends we used to be with. No more with all of these. No more.
Although through all of these, goodbyes are good in a sense. Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments of lifetime, would be the best time for

friends. The feeling of missing each other so much, then seeing each other again: that ecstatic feeling. Its the best, I tell you. You now learn how to appreciate and give importance to the things that used to be common for you, but are now one of the rarest things. Remember: Good byes are not forever and it is not the end of everything. Put in mind that farewells are a sign of a new beginning, new milestones to achieve, and new goals to attain.

At this state, we are like trees. Trees take some time before it grows. Trees take long before its withered leaves grow again. Trees may take a while before they can bear fruits. Just like us, we are trees that took so long to grow and be high, to be in 4th year high school. Weve been through a lot: through different seasons of our lives. Through the good times and the bad, we stayed strong thats why were all here. We are trees that after all of those bitter things, the end would be the bearing of the sweet fruit: the fruit which is our success, the attainment of our goal, the thing we are longing for. Let us not all be afraid of reaching higher and farther. We still have so much to grow, more potential to be tapped, more new things to be discovered. It is a never ending growth for in the extent of all of these, after facing off our fearsjust like saying good byes, thats the time we move and be in a position we can finally achieve success. As for in trees: Do not be afraid of the sacrifice to go beyond tree branches: thats where the fruit is. Accomplishing our goals and attaining success should not only be done by doing something for you to achieve it. You should also have the burning desire to reach for it: the DREAM to reach success. Also, it should not only be done by merely planning for it. You should BELIEVE that you can do it. And after those, thats the time you will experience accomplishment and be the victor of your own destiny. Remember: The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Let us now take that step and be in a journey towards success! Again, to all of you, welcome and may the Almighty Lord Bless us all!