Tincy Jeay B. Canaman, Ranked No.1, Regular Class inspires her fellow completers. “It always seems impossible until it+s done,” a quote from Nelson Mandela. Standing in front of you all today, delivering my speech, is something I never thought I would be doing. But now is the appointed time to make an account of my journey, our journey together in our quest for knowledge and wisdom until we reach this segment of our life. When I was still in elementary, I was never an achiever and I didn+t even make it to the top 10. But when I got into High school, things were different. I realized the value of studying and my grades got better. I started to be more sociable and now I have many friends. I challenged myself to try something new. I involved myself in sports and I also joined in competitions and sometimes, I won but there were also times that I also lost. We have all experienced failure along the road. And each time we fail, we must ask for God+s help, pick ourselves up and try again because we only fail if we stop trying. All the things I have accomplished and achieved, I give all the credit to God and to my parents. When I first entered the gates of CPU High School, I was both anxious and excited. I saw a lot of familiar faces and I also made some new friends. Since it was my first year, the atmosphere in High school felt different and new. I was not academically competitive but I realized then that if I continued my hard work and determination, I can be on top. Every year is not the same as the last and people come and go. I recall in my second year, there were many new faces and personalities that I met. Most of them are my very close friends until now. My third year in high school was like a roller coaster ride. There were many ups and downs during that school year. But on the positive side, it was during this year that I made many memorable memories and experiences along with my classmates. My final year in High school felt like a blur. Since it is my last year here, I wanted to make the most of it, so I decided to join the softball team. That experience changed me in the best way and I also met amazing people whom I will never forget for a very long time. As I look back to the stressful days and the sleepless nights, all those hard work has finally paid off as I stand before you today. We are now transcending into adulthood, each with our own path that we chose. What we learn both in and outside the classroom become a part of who we are. We learn from our experiences. It may be good or bad but it always teaches us a lesson. We all experience heartbreaks; not only in relationships, but in friendships as well. People change in their manners or in their personalities. We must remember that God will send the right people to us at the right time. High school life will never be complete without our friends. I imagine high school to be boring if it weren+t for them. Our friends are the reasons why High school is fun and memorable. They stand with us in times of hardships and they brighten our dull days. To my barkada since grade 7, to my dear section, 10-Sun, to my friends in the SSC class and to my schoolmates who had a part in my journey here, thank you for all the memories. Other than these fond memories that I cherish were the opportunities in disguise that mold and polish my mindset attitude and character. When I joined the Peer Helpers Club, the Red Cross Youth and the Sowers Club, I got involved in the lives of my fellow students and in the lives of the people in the community, this gave me a feeling of fulfillment for having shared a part of me for those who are in need. This experience taught me the virtues of kindness and compassion. It is also a great privilege to represent the CPU Junior High in some academic and sports competitions. I would like to acknowledge my coaches and mentors for believing in what I could achieve. Of course, in any competition, some lead, some fall behind. I experienced both in academic and sports contests. But more than the places I got, are valuable lessons of disciplining the mind and the body, perseverance through the odds, and to humbly accept defeat and most of all, enjoying what I have been doing. Let us not forget the people who taught us, molded us and guided us to the individuals we are now. Our dear teachers, you are the ones who gave us difficult exams, complex projects, and stressful requirements but also, you gave us life lessons which we will always remember, thank you for your patience and effort to instill the right values in us students. We also would not want to miss, in this occasion, to express our deepest gratitude to our beloved parents and loved ones. Your sacrifices, which we often take for granted, are the reasons why we have reached this segment of our life. Our mothers and fathers or people who serve as substitute parents, may not be the perfect parents we sometimes wished them to be, but if we think of the comfort and convenience they deprive themselves just so they could provide our needs, no words we can utter or no material things we can offer would suffice their sacrifices for us. Let me also take this opportunity, in behalf of the Junior High School Graduating Class, to express our gratitude to Central Philippine University, our Alma Mater, for cultivating in us both knowledge and faith in order to build in each one of us, a strong Christian character. We survived the trials and challenges of the past years because God has faithfully supplied us with all our needs. We hold on to the same faith we have in God as we anxiously wait for what lies ahead of us. Philippians 4:6 says, “Don+t be anxious about anything, but in prayer… let your requests be made known to God.” Mahatma Gandhi said, and I quote, “The future depends on what we do in the present.” My fellow completers, I congratulate all of you. Let us make the best of what we have as we head on to the future. It doesn+t end here. We have yet another chapter in our lives. We may go to different paths, but I believe the lessons, the memories and the friendships we have will remain in our hearts. With our parents on our side let us face the future with confidence and complete trust in God. Thank you and God bless.