JCA celebrates with SHS First Day Hi!
JCA celebrates with SHS First Day Hi!
| Francheska Gonzales
To mark the new journey for senior high school students (SHS), JCSGO Christian Academy (JCA) kicked off its SHS First Day Hi!: Let Your Light Shine on June 26, a celebration focused on building community through music, fellowship, and worship.
Supreme Student Council (SSC) President Jean Karl Michael Dawal clarified during the event that “shining” is often mistakenly equated with social media likes, views, and popularity. However, he emphasized that true light stems from inside—acted through kindness, respect for others, helping the needy, integrity, and faith.
Following the opening remarks, School Principal Ms. Cynthia Genon also shared her highly inspiring and symbolic keynote message.
“Let your light shine—not just once in a blue moon, but at all times,” she conveyed.
To keep the energy high, interactive segments were held with the goal of bridging the gap and building camaraderie between the students.
Grade 11 student Nathania Gabriela Vigilancia said that what stood out to her was the declaration that the grade 12 JCAians set a great example to make the new batch feel right at home.
Meanwhile, Alexa Mindao stated that the warm welcome helps grade 11 students feel accepted, comfortable, and confident in their new school environment.
“It also encourages friendship, teamwork, and respect between different grade levels. As the senior students, Grade 12 students should set a good example by being kind, approachable, and supportive.”
Furthermore, she added that after going to the party, the event was a memorable and welcoming experience that provided a fun opportunity to make friends, praise God, and strengthen their relationship.
Ms. Cyrel Gemeniano reminded students of the main takeaway, “Students must learn from this event is our core message: ‘May their light shine.’”
She hoped that people would see the goodness of their hearts, developing not just their academics, but their values and character as well.
The event concluded with a series of team-building games, icebreakers, and photo opportunities.
History of SHS First Day Hi!
During the time of Ms. Tricia Artienda as the SHS Academic Head, the Acquaintance Party was introduced after restrictions from the pandemic were lifted. Ms. Linnie Bergante, the current Head, continued the initiative and rebranded it this year to “SHS First Day Hi!”
“We decided to conduct this annually to provide students with an opportunity to get together—both Grade 11 and Grade 12 students. We want to show them that every student is important and encourage them to see one another not only as classmates but also as friends and family,” Ms. Bergante shared.
She observed that before the initiative of acquaintance parties, grade 11 students were somewhat hesitant to build friendships with grade 12 students.
Ms. Bergante added that in the SHS faculty, it has become part of their culture to treat one another as family, and they want to extend that same relationship to their students.
“I also observed that after SHS First Day Hi!, students became happier and more prepared to welcome the new school year with enthusiasm and readiness for learning,” she concluded.