Precious One
By Catherine Jordan

       It was about five o'clock in the morning when my aunt began to wake me. I knew that it was already a call to mark the beginning of a new academic year. Unlike the previous years, I was very much excited to go back to school and see my friends again. I knew right then that this year will be very exhausting and more challenging since I am already in my junior year and this time it is not only all about academics alone but extra curricular activities as well. My system was all set in meeting a lot of new faces both teachers and some classmates. I must say that I was a bit jolted with how much my colleagues have improved, most of them grew taller and some became healthier than before. As what I anticipated, my first day in school would definitely be an enjoyable one� a lot of new experiences to share with your friends, new seatmates, an entirely new atmosphere, and of course, a fresh set of challenges await the whole class together with a bunch of expectations coming from the teachers. I am very certain that we all got used to these because it was how we lived and survived while we were just sophomores. A month or so had passed and we finally adapted to our new milieu, our new classmates somehow began to mingle with others and we could get along with our new teachers at last! As early as July, we were already thinking of the upcoming events prepared by the organizations and the administration, above all of these activities, the Junior-Senior Promenade made us all excited and wished that days could pass easily. Among our first major activities was the Intramurals, we were all eager to bag the grand prize in the cheering competition due to our heartrending loss during the last school year, numerous practice were done to be able to perfect our routine and I should say that we did put our heart in this activity. As the saying goes, "Behind the Hills of Sacrifice lie the Goal of Success, our class emerged as the victor in the said competition. After some time, everything went back to normal recitations, quizzes, projects, and periodical examinations once again. We had a pleasant Christmas Party after several discussions regarding the food, contribution, and the likes. Everybody was eager to have his Christmas vacation and we already began our countdown for the Promenade as early as that time. It was a holiday season no more and we have to start convincing our senses to get back to reality and prepare for the Quarterly Examinations. Once we got back to school, everybody seemed to be conferring the same thing over and over again, what else but the Promenade. Some already had their gowns made while others were still confused with what to wear and where to have the gowns ordered. January 29, 2004, the night that every junior and senior has been waiting for, finally arrived. Hours and hours of preparations were done by each and every one of us; I was amazed upon seeing my colleagues in their gowns and coats. It was indeed a night to remember. The food was great, the venue was perfect, and most of all almost all of my friends were there. We enjoyed the rest of the night and afterwards, we went to a caf� to end the night. It was truly remarkable for all of us and we will certainly cherish the memories that we had on that very evening. After the Promenade, I realized how lucky I was to be a part of such an elite class. This class was something really unique and it was truly blessed with equally capable young minds. The friendship that I have found here is really worth thanking for. We have been through a lot; we went through a lot of discussions with each other, and of course, hundreds of fun times together. I feel secured whenever I am with the class; I know that they will always be there for me especially at times of trouble. We have established a special kind of friendship and I know that the friendship we have is bound to last. We already had a lot of journey together, from the most famous amusement center to the caves of Banahaw. I really can't explain how I feel until this very moment because I am aware that this is not sufficient to express my gratitude to the whole class but I hope this will help us remember the bond that we have made. A friendship meant to last� Again, I am very grateful to my colleagues, Saint Charles Batch '03-'04� A Precious One�