NEWS

The UST EHS Graduates' Association, Inc. (UST EHSGAI) once again proved its consistency in honoring its jubilarians and giving them an unforgettable virtual celebration of merriment and nostalgia on February 26, 2022 via Zoom and aired live on Facebook. For its celebration of the 72nd founding anniversary of the Education High School, the Board of Trustees focused on the future of its association and organized this year's program with a theme entitled, "EHSians in the forefront Towards the New Normal."

Assoc. Prof. Marielyn C. Quintana, the incumbent principal of the UST Education High School, welcomed the jubilarians with optimism and gratitude as she lauded their generosity to the EHS learners who had a hard time paying their tuition fees due to the adverse effects brought by the pandemic. Many of these students weren't able to attend the first week of classes.

"You can just imagine how emotional they were [parents of the students]. They even cried for joy when they [were] suddenly called to say that we have found them generous donors who can help them with the enrolment of their child," shared Assoc. Prof. Quintana.

She also mentioned that many graduates from different batches took the initiative to mobilize their classmates to raise funds. For the academic year 2021-2022, the alumni were able to give PHP 637,710.00 during the enrollment period. The said amount was able to grant 47 students another chance to continue their education. Most batches have met with their student-scholars and gave them advice to strive hard and become successful in the future. The sense of community and belongingness has inspired the EHS administration and the graduates' association to create a committee who will institutionalize and organize the alumni support to the students called EHS Solidarity Fund Project. Assoc. Prof. Quintana reported that the project has currently raised over PHP 50,000.00 and counting. She closed her remarks with a short video presentation of the student activities for the first half of the year to showcase the talents and skills of the learners.

Overwhelmed by the support and kindness, UST EHSGAI President Arnel Ocampo also encouraged other fellow alumni to join the cause and urged everyone to join the association's upcoming general assembly and elections. His last term as the head of the group has been fruitful indeed as he took his members on a short trip down the memory lane of their activities last year. He highlighted the association's awardees in the recently concluded Distinguished Thomasian Alumni Night hosted by the UST Alumni Association, Inc. last November 25, 2021.

Awardees:

• Manuel S. Salumbides - Class of 1953
• Federico N. Nartates - Class of 1959
• Arturo G. Gungon - Class of 1960
• Emmanuel V. Plan II - Class of 1969
• John M. Simon - Class of 1977

Then, Ocampo opened the floor for the jubilarians' group presentations. Many took the opportunity to show their old high school photos that have drawn lots of reaction from the participants. Other batches even took the time to record themselves singing nostalgic songs and dancing to the groove of their time. Golden jubilarians representative Dr. Clara Reyes-Rivera of Batch 1972 thanked everyone to show their appreciation for the virtual celebration. Her batch also declared to payback to their beloved alma mater in whatever way they can as a token of gratitude.

The day ended with such nostalgia and inspiration. The theme did justice as the EHSians have proved themselves to be in the forefront towards the new normal where each of them embraced the reality and played major roles during the fight against the pandemic. Some of them may not even know but many EHSians students have considered them as heroes.