With the saffron sky and the glowing iconic pillars in the background, the Ateneo de Naga University High School and its stakeholders witnessed the 67^th Commencement Exercises on March 17, 2012.

Earlier in the day, the community gathered together for the symbolic last Eucharistic celebration (Baccalaureate Mass) for the graduating class at the Chirst the King Church in the Ateneo de Naga Bagumbayan Campus.

In the mass presided by the University President, Fr. Primitivo Viray Jr. SJ, the graduation batch and award medals and diplomas were blessed. Symbolically, the graduating class recited their Prayer of Dedication. And for the first time, the seniors sang for their parents and guardians the religious song “Kailan Pa Man” after the liturgical rites.

The graduation rites started at 5PM with the graduates’ processional from the behind the Four Pillars to the field. They marched to the medley of the orchestra rendition of “Papuri sa Dios” by Fr. Eduardo Hontiveros SJ and “Capriccio Italien” by the Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Soon they were followed by the administration, faculty, and staff. The seniors were in their navy blue business attire for the rites.

The rites opened with the entrance of colors, singing of the national anthem and the invocation lead by Fr. Ruben Reyes SJ. Right after, Camille Trinidad was awarded her Class Valedictorian medallion. Trinidad delivered her valedictory speech, highlighting the feats and successes of the batch and bringing to a parallel the batch’s journey to the metamorphosis of a butterfly.

After Trinidad’s well-applauded speech, Mr. Honesto Bermudo III, Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction (APCI), introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Allan A. Sioson of HS Class 1987. In Dr. Sioson’s speech, he recalled the memories of his stay in the high school, imparted how he met the challenges of Jesuit education especially in Ateneo de Manila University, and urged the graduating class to do for others in the near future.

Afterwards, the 292 members of the graduating class received their diplomas, a proof of completion of the rigors of Ateneo education. The class moderators did the final roll call of their respective learning groups.

The distribution of graduation awards followed soon. Parents and relatives accompanied in the stage their respective children who were recipients of the awards. Mr. Gregorio Abonal, Principal, read the citations.

The induction of the graduates to the Ateneo de Naga General Alumni Association (AdNUGAA), address of the university president, and the singing of the Alma Mater Song and Regnum Dei concluded the graduation rites.