William Franco Ranola delivered this address during the 25th Commencement Rites of the Elementary Department held at the LH Foundation Gymnasium of PAREF Springdale School last May 10, 2025.
A prominent man who shaped the foundation of Western civilization, brought success to philosophy, and a man of unwavering character, Aristotle, once said, “Virtue is the foundation of true success; without it, triumph is hollow and fleeting.”
Good morning, everyone! Today, we are not just graduating, we are stepping into a future shaped by the dreams we built together. Before anything else, allow me to honor and recognize the presence of the pillars of our beloved PAREF Springdale school community: our respected School Executive Director, Dr. Renante C. Payod, our Associate Director of Personal Formation, Mr. Ric R. Ampiloquio, our dedicated Head Teacher, Mr. Edgar Allan E. Jabone, our hardworking and respected teachers, our ever-supportive parents, and of course, my fellow Grade 6 graduates.
It is a privilege to be standing here before all of you to speak on behalf of my batch 2024-2025. As I stand here with a profound sense of gratitude, I feel incredibly honored and humbled to represent our class. Looking back on our six years together, it’s hard to believe how quickly time flew. It feels like it was only just yesterday when we were little boys in oversized uniforms, nervously entering the classroom, unsure of what to expect. Now, we stand as young men of character, forged by experience and guided by values, on the edge of something new, something exciting: high school.
Hats off to our primary years! A journey that shaped us, challenged us, and, most importantly, brought us together. We have many experiences to be proud of, indeed. Despite the hurdles of remote learning, we persevered and successfully completed our primary years. Amidst the global pandemic, even while entrapped in our homes, worrying for everyone’s health and safety, our batch found light and strength, most of all putting God first. One of our most treasured moments was receiving our First Communion, a moment of grace and faith that we will carry with us forever.
Our learning undoubtedly extended beyond the 4 corners of our classrooms. One of the most unforgettable experiences was our Science and Civics campaign and exhibition, where we showcased what we had learned, sharing the fruits of our hard work, inspiring and imparting the knowledge honed from our dearest teachers to the little boys that are yet to glow. We shared our knowledge with other grade levels, proving that learning becomes most meaningful when it is passed on and lived out. We showed unity and cooperation as we celebrated our Savior’s Day, proving that we are not just classmates, but a family working together with shared values towards goals. And as we all know, everyone’s favorite season, Christmas, brought not only joy but also friendly competition. Our class poured heart and creativity into decorating our classroom, and through teamwork and shared ideas, we proudly emerged as champions, proving once again that collaboration brings out the best in us. We also had the joy of spreading the Christmas spirit to our beneficiaries during our outreach program. Through fun games and heartfelt moments, we were able to bring smiles across their faces and in doing so, we discovered the true meaning of giving.
A moment I particularly treasure was during our Sports Fest and Father’s Day celebrations. Even though we were divided into two opposing houses, Anchor and Vinta, our batch remained one at heart, showing true sportsmanship, respect, and joy in every game and activity.
To my dearest batchmates, thank you for the laughter, the lessons, and the memories. May we carry the values of unity, faith, and perseverance wherever we go. We’ve had our fair share of countless victories and inevitable failures like that time when our Titans Basketball Team didn’t make it to some of the inter school competitions and thought it was the end of the world, and those nights we juggled crammed schedules, racing against deadlines for our performance tasks, all while trying to keep up with everything else we had to do. But looking back, those moments taught us more than success ever could. They showed us resilience, time management, and the value of pushing through.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that true strength comes from unity. It’s in helping each other during reviews for our quizzes and cheering each other on whether we won or lost. We learned to stand up for what is right, to say sorry when needed, and to lift each other up when one of us was down. I believe our batch has a lot to be grateful for!
To our teachers, thank you for being more than just educators. You were our mentors, our second parents, and our daily reminders that learning goes beyond textbooks. Thank you for pouring your time, wisdom, and heart into shaping us. You believed in us even when we struggled to believe in ourselves. You corrected us with patience, challenged us to grow, and celebrated our small victories like they were your own. Your impact goes far beyond the lessons in class, you have left a mark on who we are and who we will become.
To our beloved school utilities and guards, thank you. You may not always be in the spotlight, but your smiles as we enter and exit the gates of the school, and your quiet acts of kindness during our rough days, never went unnoticed. You made our days lighter, safer, and more comfortable. We see you, we appreciate you, and we are more than grateful.
To our parents, siblings, and families, thank you for your unwavering love, patience, and endless support. Thank you for waking us up each morning, preparing our meals, and ensuring we had everything we needed to face the day. You stood by us through every late night, bad grade, and rough morning, always ready with encouragement or a comforting word. Your sacrifices often unseen carried us through more than you’ll ever know. From the school drop-offs to the quiet prayers, you gave us the foundation to keep persevering. We are here because of your strength, belief, and constant presence, and we carry your love in every step we take forward.
To our friends and our beloved batchmates, thank you for walking this journey with us. You brought laughter into our stressful days, and your companionship turned even the hardest moments into memories worth keeping. We’ve been through so much together: in projects, deadlines, wins, losses, and everything in between and in doing so, we’ve built something deeper than friendship. We’re not just classmates, we’re brothers. Brothers who have grown through shared struggles and triumphs, who have stood side by side through thick and thin. I am deeply grateful for the moments we’ve shared, and I know the bond we’ve built will always stay with us, wherever life takes us next.
But most of all, I’m most grateful to God Almighty, for guiding us through every challenge, for blessing us with the people who shaped us, and for always being the steady light in every season of our journey.
As we move on to high school, I hope we bring with us the values that PAREF Springdale taught us: service to God and others, love for the truth, order and hard work, and optimism and cheerfulness. Let us be young men of character, even when no one is watching. Let us aim for excellence, but not forget to be kind. Let us continue to be strong in faith and joyful in learning.
So here’s my advice to all of us, “Virtue is the foundation of true success; without it, triumph is hollow and fleeting,” as Aristotle once said.
To my fellow graduates, let us go forward with courage, with hope, and with the desire to make a difference, no matter how small. Because if we stay true to who we are and what we’ve learned here, we can do great things.
Congratulations, batchmates. We did it! Thank you, and may God bless us all. Bene Omnia Facere!