Story By Airah Bernice Camocon, CST-R Batch 2018
Photos By Rheyxs Fernandez and Georgene Quilaton-Tambiga
They said that being in high school is the best part of teenage life. My parents would always tell me to enjoy those days. And, guess what? My high school life in CST-R was indeed great!
I will always remember the moments and stories that I will be really proud to share with anyone until I get grey hairs on my head. This here is my ‘Istorya sa Sto. Tomas.’
Eight years ago, I was just as a typical Grade 7 student who didn’t even expect that our batch would become part of Philippine history as the pioneers of the new basic education curriculum—K to 12. I could still remember my first day as a high school student. I was nervous-excited and overwhelmed by our Ates and Kuyas who welcomed us at the school gate. Days after, I was nominated as a Grade 7 representative to the Supreme Student Council. Unfortunately, I did not win.
I also joined the Girl Scout of the Philippines (GSP) training for officers and by virtue of dedication I became a troop leader. It was not an easy swing as I was still in the seventh grade. Two years after, I was appointed the Corps Commander. Little did I expect that scouting would be one of the highlights of my high school years.
When I was in Grade 10, I was supposed to be training for officership for Citizen Army Training. But my heart beat more for the GSP than any other activity. Don’t get me wrong here, I was still a member of CAT and even participated every Thursday in the battalion training. Nevertheless, I always saved my Wednesdays for the GSP battalion for six consecutive years.
Fast forward to twelfth grade, my last high school year. I was elected as the Vice President of the Supreme Student Council. My schedule was beyond packed but I did not regret every single day of it because I know that we were making history. Activities like dance performances during first day of classes, the colorful confetti during intramurals, the Mr. and Ms. Intramurals Pageant that was held in the evening for the first time, and the remarkable projects that we’ve built for our beloved CST-R were ones that helped shape me as a member of the Filipino youth today. I am very happy to see now that my fellow Thomasians are still continuing in the same path of scouting that we’ve started.
Another highlight would be my membership with CST-R Team Event. There I learned many lessons, gained exciting experiences and found new friends. Because of that team, I learned to handle stress under pressure. I will never forget the sleepless nights and restless days just to give the Thomasians a glamorous event that they could rate “Instagrammable!”
Then there was the yearbook, a repository of photos and quotes for every batch to look back on. Until the remaining weeks of that summer before I went to college, I was still in our dear Alma Mater, editing the yearbook and beating the publication deadline. Those days were agonizing, exciting but were all worthy!
In times of nostalgia like this, my heart is full of stories from my high school days. The pages here would not be enough to contain them. To sum up, all the moments of my six years in CST-R are worth cherishing and worth learning from. I was just an average high school student in terms of academics but I graduated with honors with a National Discipline Award from the A.Y. Foundation Inc. In a few months, I will be in third year college.
If I have a message to share to fellow Thomasians who are still enrolled in Alma Mater, it is that my life as a Thomasian was far from perfect. I made mistakes, had bad days, but I triumphed over them. Here is an advice from a very proud Thomasian by heart—be friends with everyone, make memories with your ‘barkada’ at the the Circle K or even at the kiosk just like what we did or the previous batches before us.
Stop complaining about the tiring battalion march rehearsals for Solidarity Day and exhausting practice for the field demonstration during Intramurals, instead enjoy them all. Participate in all the programs (if you could). Respect and be friends with your teachers. Remember to bring your gatepass and your ID so that you won’t be on the SSC’s list. Always bring the ‘permit to leave the classroom’ when you go out. Be extra careful when you’re on the field because you might step on those ‘raisins.’ Trust me, you will be missing all those after you graduate.
Lastly, don’t pressure yourself too hard just do your best in everything instead. That itself will make your parents proud. With those tips, I assure you that your high school life will be as great as mine!
CST-R, thank you for the wonderful memories. “Keep us Thomasians, always united! Alma Mater forever more!”
