In Focus

Jannien Dalagan, M.Sc Valedictorian, Fall 2023

Category : [2023]| Writer : SolBridge | Date : 2024.01.03 | Hit : 2,924

Master of Science valedictorian congratulatory remarks during the Fall 2023 commencement ceremony.

"Respected Guests, Faculty Members, Staff, Family Members, Friends, and My Fellow Graduates, Warm Greetings to all of you! Today, we're not just celebrating the end of an era; we're celebrating the beginning of an era of awkwardly navigating adulthood.

Firstly, let me say how honored I feel to be here, as someone who mastered the art of appearing like they know what they're doing – otherwise known as earning a Master's degree. If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me, "So, what's your plan after graduation?" I wouldn't need a job after graduation. Jokes aside, this journey has been a testament to hard work, resilience, and a sincere commitment to understanding the complexities of my field. It's about investing countless hours in rigorous study, late nights with books, and a genuine passion for the subject. Today, as I stand here, I carry with me the fruits of my labor, proud to be a Master's graduate.

Now, to my fellow graduates, a hearty congratulations to all of us! We survived countless all-nighters and caffeine overdoses. If there's one thing graduate school taught us, or at least some of us, it's how to function on minimal sleep and maximum stress. Who needs a full eight hours of sleep anyway, right?

As we close one glorious chapter of our lives, a new one begins. When we first stepped through the doors of SolBridge, we were filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation. We were a diverse group of individuals, each with our dreams, goals, and backgrounds. Little did we know that we were about to embark on a transformative journey that would shape us into the people we are today.

We have a fresh blank page ahead of us. It is up to us to grab our pens and write our own stories. I ask you, grads, to take this opportunity to write an unforgettable chapter filled with the fulfillment of your dreams and desires. Let us take what we have learned and let it guide us to our futures. Let us build on our experiences to better ourselves and others around us.

As I take this moment to reflect on the incredible journey that led me to this graduation stage, I want to acknowledge someone incredibly special who is here in spirit – my mom. While she may not be with us physically, her love and influence have shaped every step of my master’s degree.

I’m sorry, Dad; I know you've shouldered the financial burden of my tuition and living expenses here in Korea. With the limited time I have for this speech, I wish to dedicate this moment solely to Mom. To my mom, who is watching from above, I know how much you’ve wanted to witness my graduation ceremony. God had different plans, and the past nine months have tested me in ways I never imagined. Through God's grace, I stand here today, having accomplished this milestone despite your passing. I hope you’re proud of me. I’m no longer a financial burden to our family (hopefully). This achievement is as much yours as it is mine. Your unwavering support, wisdom, and love have been my guiding light. I carry your memory in my heart, and today, I dedicate this milestone to you.

Lastly, I would like to take this moment to thank God for His grace, which has sustained me through the late nights, the exams, and the moments of self-doubt. Graduation is not just my personal achievement; it is a testament to God's faithfulness. This journey was not walked alone, and today, I acknowledge the divine support that has been an integral part of my academic adventure. Thank you, God, for being my constant source of strength and guidance.

Master Graduates of 2023, here's to us – the Masters of Multitasking, the Conquerors of Complex Concepts, and the Architects of Advanced Arguments. May our careers be as successful as our group projects were stressful.

Thank you, and let the next adventure in adulting begin. Because now, armed with our Master's degrees, we're not just job seekers; we're world conquerors. Or, you know, at least highly qualified applicants.

Allow me to conclude by expressing my gratitude to each one of you in my own language, “Maraming Salamat at Mabuhay Tayong Lahat!” Thank you, and may our futures be as bright as the paths we've forged together."