I am deeply honored, speaking here in front of you, as a proud parent of a graduate. While preparing for this task, I overheard my daughter Jassy saying a random prayer. This is her usual gesture whenever she’s overwhelmed with emotion. She said , Lord, thank you for taking me to St. Mary’s Academy. I never get to experience bullying. Thank you that I am surrounded with kind people.” As a mother It is comforting to know that my child feels safe in school and even grateful to God for it. Hearing those words was a reaffirmation that our family’s decision to leave our home in Kalibo Aklan to move to Iloilo with the desire to provide a better education and to have better access to intervention for my two children in the Autism spectrum was all worth the sacrifice. 

In retrospect, 12 years ago, I was so nervous going inside the gate of the very first school where I took Jassy to supposedly enroll her in a Nursery class. I am nervous because I am not confident of her skills and behavior and most of all I am scared she will not be accepted because of her Autism. Ten minutes after she entered the evaluation room, my worries were confirmed. She was not admitted and was advised to go back the next school year.Though rejection pained me, I took it as a challenge and looked for means to get my child to school. 

To have a child diagnosed  with autism is already difficult but to be in a place where there’s none or limited access to intervention is another challenge. But this did not stop us from finding means to help our child. My husband and I wanted to explore and find the best intervention than just to settle for what’s available. My instinct prompted me to keep telling everyone about Jassy’s condition hoping that somehow I will be able to meet someone who can guide me to the right professionals. Eventually a relative introduced me to her cousin residing in Manila who happened to have two children in the ASD spectrum. That woman helped us to secure a slot to be one of the pioneer developmental pediatricians in the country.  That dev ped visit was enlightening and filled with hope. She pointed out to us that our child’s future will depend on us parents on how we will train her and support her needed intervention. So we followed all her recommendations. True enough, Jassy made a remarkable development after 2 months of 3-4x a week therapy and was accepted in a regular school in Kalibo, Aklan the next school year. For 4 years, we would go to Manila once a month and would spend the whole summer break there to maximize the slots that we could get it from the therapists. 

When she was in her 3rd grade. I noticed that Jassy showed signs of exhaustion and anxiety especially during examination days. Jassy is a competitive and persistent learner. One time, she went home 3 hours later than their scheduled dismissal because she refused to stop answering her test paper until she’s done with all the test questions. She went home with a fever that day. This incident made me reconsider whether to allow my child to progress to the next grade level or put her on a grade level that matches her developmental and cognitive skills. I weighed all options available and decided enrolling in St. Mary’s Academy the next school year.  I am glad to know that after the evaluation, what I wanted for my daughter is aligned with their recommendation which is to demote Jassy 2 grade levels behind. Though she may have fallen behind her classmates, I never regretted that decision because it allowed her to progress at her own pace.. Not pressured, just enjoying every learning experience everyday. Eventually she made advances in terms of cognitive ability and was able to study and do her assignments independently. And now after 11 long years of preschool and elementary… finally she is moving to high school.. Our family couldn’t be more happy, grateful and proud. Thanks be to God who made all these possible. 

As delighted parents, we would like to thank St. Mary’s Academy administration, for your vision of providing inclusive quality education, giving our children especially children with special needs an equal opportunity to develop to their utmost potential at their own pace and securing for them a safe space and nurturing environment where they are free to express themselves and their unique individuality. I also appreciate the varied and well- thought learning experiences and co-curricular activities that they expose their learners into. More power to all of you. 

We are also grateful to the skilled, talented and hardworking teachers who made a difference in our children’s lives. We see your dedication,patience and love in every progress of our children and in how they enthusiastically share their learning experiences to us every single day. Thank you and may God richly bless you with knowledge and wisdom and sustain you as you fulfill your life mission, vocation and profession as teachers. 

To our beloved graduates, You have made us, your parents , joyful and proud today. Thank you for being responsible and persevering on your studies and for giving it your best shot.. You may have a long way to go  to reach your goal  but you have gone far enough from the moment you have started your educational journey. Do not be scared and do not be overwhelmed with the bigger things ahead of you. Your teachers have empowered you with the needed skills and knowledge. St. Mary’s Academy has instilled in you the values of faith, courage and resilience. We, your parents, are here to love you unconditionally and to journey with you all the way. Given these knowledge, skills, values and support system, you have what it takes to face the bigger school out there. When hardships come and discouragement seems overwhelming, remember how God took you to this moment right now. He will take you to where He intends you to be someday. Just trust His will.

Congratulations and all the best for your future.

Thank you.