The following is the valedictory address delivered by Janella Montemayor during the commencement exercises of Negros Occidental High School on April 4. Janella, the regular class valedictorian of NOHS,  is the daughter of Potifar and Ma. Manresa Montemayor. The Montemayors, who are engaged in a small venture, selling pork and noodle,  reside in Barangay Taculing, Bacolod City.

Four years in high school is not enough to learn life’s experiences. Time flies by quickly that today, we are already graduates of our Alma Mater. I feel like I’ve stepped foot on this wonderful place just yesterday.

Thinking of my elementary days, I never thought that I would come this far. I was only a typical pupil of ETCS II. I graduated from Section Two and had never been able to step on the first section for I was only a transferee.

High school came. I enrolled here at Negros Occidental High School and became a Section One student. I did all my best to belong to the Top Ten and fortunately, I did it.

It was once just a dream I was eager to reach, but because I strived, it came to reality.

It had been hard for me. I had to persevere and endure the pressures of school and home.

I wanted to go home early but couldn’t because I didn’t want to leave my outputs and other activities undone. I had to manage my time well. You see, we have this little livelihood at home. I needed to sleep late at night and wake up early in the morning for I was in charge in the packaging of our products.

I became a very busy learner. At times, I forgot the fact that I was also a child who needed rest and play. There were times when I thought everything was being so hard to me. Sometimes, I thought I’ve missed being a kid who enjoyed life.

In spite of the difficulties, I kept going. I doubled my effort, and now, it was all worth it.

I offer my warmest gratitude to our friends, classmates, and schoolmates who played a great role in our lives, who touched our hearts and encouraged us when we felt down; to our teachers who shared their knowledge with us and who extended their patience to understand us, who made life become a little more easier to live with; to our principal who maintained the good name of our school; to our parents and guardians who sacrificed a lot to support us in all our needs; and most of all, to our Almighty Father in Heaven who granted us life and graces and who was always there to enlighten us and guide us as we made decisions and different choices.

Graduates, we’re not yet done with our journey. After this day, we need to start all over again. Everything will be back to zero. We need to prepare for adjustments. More trials and hardships await us, but we shall never stop. We should act to attain our goals and we should never forgot to call on His name, and whatever happens, we must not stop believing in our dreams.

Congratulations NOHS Class of 2009!