‘Amazing’ Growth Cited in 2nd Commencement Exercises

June 2, 2009

The school’s ‘amazing’ growth was widely cheered during the school’s 2nd commencement exercises held on June 2, 2009. Extending words of congratulations to the MITIS community was the guest of honor and speaker, Dr. Teresita G. Domalanta, Director of the Department of Education in the National Capital Region. The descriptor ‘amazing’ initially circulated as the school successfully hurdled the initial accreditation visit by a team from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), USA on April 30-April 1, 2009. Dr. Domalanta praised the school’s teachers for their extensive professional preparation, experience, and commitment for the success of students. She also exhorted the graduates guided by the vision, perseverance, and determination of the school’s founders and top administrators. She was introduced by school principal, Dr. Bienvenido V. Santos, who cited her as a multi-awarded educator, civic leader, a dedicated wife and mother. In his inspirational remarks, Founder-Director Hyock Chu Kwon recalled the school’s growth from its humble beginnings out of awareness of great opportunities. He cited that the school seized with much determination the opportunities for the school to offer world-class education, to be an instrument of internationalism and world brotherhood, to reach out to financially challenged but academically deserving students, and to promote nobility of character. MITIS opened in August 2007 and on its second year it more than doubled its enrolment with students coming from 15 nationalities. MITIS has gained membership in the International Schools Association based in Geneva, Switzerland. It is set to offer Advanced Placement (AP) classes, which can earn for students the Advanced Placement International Diploma from the College Board, USA. It has also set its timetable to offer the diploma program of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) in two to three years. The welcome remarks were given by class salutatorian, Timothy J. Aurin, who got the subject excellence awards in science, social studies, and music. Top graduate, Renzo Miguel M. Ibanez, who received the subject excellence awards in mathematics, English, Art, PE, Computer Technology, and French, gave the valedictory address. Guillerre Jan P. Cardona who merited an academic excellence award and the STRIPES award led the graduates’ pledge of loyalty. The STRIPES award is a specially designed gold medal bestowed on a graduate who in the judgment of teacher’s best manifests the behavioral indicators of the school’s core values. The other awardee was John Frederick A. Aguinaldo for academic excellence. The ceremonies capped by the awards of certificates of appreciation to the MITIS Parents Association for its projects that promote healthy collaboration of the school and the parents and to Ms. Celedonia M Pagaspas for manifesting good parenting practices.