The 6th Commencement Exercises of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme of Southville International School and Colleges (SISC) was held last June 4, 2012, with Ms. Deidre Fischer, Superintendent of Cebu International School, as the keynote speaker. Dr. Genevieve Ledesma-Tan, SISC Chief Executive Mentor, Dr. Marl Ferenal, SISC President and Ms. Marie Ann Mirando, IB Coordinator, graced the event.

Leading the IB graduates of Class 2012 were the awardees for Scholastic Excellence namely Andrea Rebecca Young (Silver Medal), Samantha Rae Andico (Bronze Medal), Yeun Joo Kim (Bronze Medal), Su Hyeon Kim (Bronze Medal), and Jacqueline Marie Solivio (Bronze Medal). Merit Certificates, Subject Excellence Awards, Outstanding Essays, and Loyalty Awards were also given to exceptional students.

Highlighting the event were the conferment of diplomas to the graduates and the speech of Andrea Rebecca Young, Silver Medalist of IB Class of 2012. In her speech, Andrea shared how her class had grown following IB’s fundamental principle of intercultural understanding:

“When we began the IB DP, we were all sort of divided into groups. Some of us probably had differences, but we learned from them, and we essentially became a team. There was no hesitation; it was as if all of us were working towards only one diploma. And that is what the IB strives for. The IB DP has shaped us to become more accepting and understanding individuals. This, I think is one of the most important things that we have learned as a group.”

She was also thankful to the quality of education that SISC had given her:

“I have been studying in Southville since I was in Kindergarten and I honestly never expected myself to be delivering this speech on graduation day. Nevertheless, I am honored to be standing here in front of all of you. I have seen progress in all of you, just like I see it in myself.”

The program concluded with a gala dinner. Ms. Sarah Atienza and Mr. Melchor Española were the masters of ceremony.