Amidst the COVID 19 pandemic that the whole world is facing, this will not hinder us from celebrating the triumph and access of the last batch of our Senior High School graduates.

The Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT) proved this after it virtually held its 4th and last Senior High School Commencement Exercises via Facebook Premiere broadcasted on the College’s Official Facebook Page, July 2.

In his message during the graduation program, the College President Dr. Eutiquio L. Rotaquio, Jr. acknowledged the efforts of ASCOT’s SHS faculty members in facing the “new normal” in education using different technology and platforms to deliver quality education to its students despite the pandemic.

Dr. Rotaquio also expressed his admiration for the students’ dedication to cope with this new trend in education, especially those who, despite the limitations of the unstable internet connection, are still pursuing their education to achieve all their aspirations in life.

Meanwhile, in her message as the graduation’s commencement speaker, Atty. Diane Gorospe-Pajarillo, CPA, stressed that achieving success takes a lot of dedication and effort to be in the hands of everyone who aims for it. She also added that even she experienced ups and downs in her life, education, and career before achieving her present status.

Moreover, Atty. Pajarillo shared tips on successfully achieving the graduates’ dreams for themselves and their families based on her personal experiences as a student then.  She emphasized the importance of prayer, perseverance, patience, and persistence, and believe in themselves.

Atty. Pajarillo said that possessing these things will surely eventually help the graduates inspire and motivate other students and people from the graduates’ success stories that they will start after graduation.

Included in the last batch of the Senior High School graduates during the School Year 2020-2021 are 178 graduates from the Academic Track and 57 from the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) track for a total of 243 candidates for graduation as presented by the College’s SHS Principal Alfredo C. Padios, Jr. and confirmed by the Schools Division Superintendent of the Division of Aurora, Dr. Catalina P. Paez, CESO V.

Being the student who topped the SHS Class 2021, Ms. Denielle Fatima A. Resueño delivered the Valedictory Speech at the end of the graduation program. She emphasized that this graduation is not the end, just the beginning of a new journey that will commence. She said that as SHS graduates, they need to strive harder, be strong, and bring out the best versions of themselves, especially in facing the challenges they will meet in their College years.

The virtual graduation ceremony was shot, edited, and produced by the Editors, Cameramen, Producer, and Director of the College’s Information and Communication Technology Center (ICTC) Team and the faculty members of the Senior High School Department.