On March 17, we attended our first graduation, marking the end of S.Y. 2011-2012; Twenty-one little boys and girls graduated from our ERDA Preschool Center at Bagong Silangan, Quezon City.
The graduation was attended by the proud parents and families of the twenty-one preschool scholars, members from ERDA Foundation, members of ABC Foundation, Barangay officials, and community leaders.
Fr. Pierre Tritz, President of ERDA Foundation honored the ceremony with his presence, along with ERDA Foundation Technical Assistant, Ms. Carmen Alicio, and ERDA Social Worker Ms. Mary Jean Olaño.
ABC Foundation Chairman, Mr. Lew Edwards was also in attendance, as well as Program Director, Ms. Hidie Niedo, sponsor, Mr. Chae Kim, Chairman Lew’s grandson, Paolo Santos, and friends, Ms. Maru Zulueta and Ms. Rina.
Mr. Chae Kim, who sponsored the preschool class this school year, brought grocery bags filled with goodies to share, for his graduating scholars, and handed them out as each scholar went up on stage with their proud parents to receive a diploma and an award.
After each scholar received a diploma, an award, and a bag of groceries, 3 preschool scholars entertained everyone with a short declamation speech, followed by the graduates’ pledge, lead by preschool scholar, Jhera Mae Sison. For their final presentation, the preschool scholars sang a beautiful song dedicated to their parents, families, and sponsors: ERDA Foundation, and ABC Foundation.
The ceremony, though simple and brief, was very meaningful, not just for the preschool scholars, who are now prepared to move up to grade 1, but also for the parents who are very proud of their children’s achievements. Sponsors, ERDA Foundation, ABC Foundation, and especially Mr. Chae Kim, were also very proud to be able to assist the little boys and girls accomplish their first educational milestone.
We would like to thank Mr. Chae Kim for sponsoring the ERDA preschool class at Bagong Silangan, and for the grocery bags he had given his scholars twice this school year; to ERDA Foundation, especially Fr. Pierre Tritz, for his dedication in helping the less fortunate; to ERDA Social Workers, Ms. Mary Jean and Ms. Lani, and to community leaders, Ms. Judith, Ms. Mai-Mai, and Sir William, and Teacher Myrna, for their support and assistance; and of course to the pre-school scholars and their parents for their hard work and cooperation.