Meet my fourth year class, IV-Lukresia Kasilag. The Lukrings. The latest addition to the fourth year block. The self-proclaimed "Star Section". The greatest first batch of the Kasilag Section (there's only one first batch after all). And probably the craziest class of school year 2003 to 2004. The school year started with 41 students in the class. Now, after roughly ten months, the class is down to 39 students. 39 proudly eccentric yet very endearing students.

Our year started with a bang, with a controversy. The separated location of our classroom brought about complaints from the class and constant jeers from the other sections. Because of 'deficiency in classrooms' in the new high school building of the school, we, being the new section in the year were placed in a less than cozy room in the old gymnasium's second floor. So while the other classes are enjoying the amenities of the new "state-of-the-art" building, we were forced to settle with broken windows, old chairs, a damaged table, busted lights, a 'holed' blackboard, unstable walls and a leaky ceiling. As a consolation, the school allowed us to use the small storage space that is adjacent to our classroom. But our sorry excuse for a classroom did not stop us from enjoying our last year in high school.

The Lukrings are jacks-of-all-trades. The class is composed of eager early birds and the sometimes endearing, sometimes annoying latecomers. Meek, quiet kids and the loud gabbers. School heartthrobs and the umm, confident. Smart-alecks and the real smart ones. Athlete, the cheerleaders and the fans. Artistic and the artistahin. Songbirds and the frustrated singers. Profound and intellectual and the well, studious. Girly, cheesy and fashionistas. Gossipmonger and the subject of gossip. Cool and the weirdoes. Physically blessed, a.k.a. sexy, and those who are striving to be. Respectable and responsible leaders and the equally respectable and responsible followers. These conflicting characteristics did make it more difficult but we have always managed to pull through.

Being the first batch of Kasilag is both a good thing and a bad thing. Good thing because there has never been a better batch before us which we will be compared to, or from whose footsteps we have to follow. But the downside is, being the first batch, we also have on our shoulders the burden to do good so to start a respectable tradition for the section.

Fortunately, our class was able to seize notable awards. Two achievements that we are very proud of are our third-place win for the "Cupid and Psyche" production and the "Cleanest Room" citation. But greater than these two are the appreciation and compliments from our teachers and the administration. Our active participation and cooperation in class activities have almost made us the prime and practical choice of teachers for class observations. Our belief in our dreams made us survive our last and toughest year in high school, all thanks to the unyielding support of our adviser and the teamwork of the class.

For ten months we endured long examinations, graded recitations and class projects together. For ten months we joined in solidarity for competitions, presentations and group work. For ten months we shared joy and laughter, sadness and tears. For ten months we formed friendships that we promise to keep forever. For ten months, this class became a second home to us. A second home to 39 individuals, who in the coming ten years and so will embark on a new journey armed with memories and experiences that we will forever cherish and treasure.