By Johanna Malang; Photos courtesy of HS Triumph

Merselle F. Montes, the second female student to be hailed as Valedictorian in Ateneo de Naga history, will lead the graduating class of 2010 set to receive their diplomas on March 20, 2010 at the historically significant Four Pillars of Pacol Campus.

With Montes sprinting to the top, she earns the highest point for both academic (curricular) and extracurricular activities in four years. Montes emerged as the leading contender after the Student Awards Committee disclosed their deliberation result to the faculty and staff. The principal officially announced to the school community the awardees on the school day following the presentation to faculty and staff.  

News and Photos by Meljohn Tatel

Joining the whole Christendom in remembering the Passion and Death of the Savior and the frailty of human nature, members of the Ateneo community received ashes in the Ash Wednesday paraliturgy held at the Covered Courts on February 17, 2010.

Fr. Ruben Reyes SJ, presiding over the paraliturgy, reminded the community of the “spiritual cleanliness from within”. He elaborated further the significance of the beginning of the Lenten Season (Ash Wednesday) to the “community’s union with the Passion and Death and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.” He further explained the meaning of “fasting and abstinence” in the season of Lent.

Photos by Irvine Kenneby Lee

With the introduction of the China Program in the High School curriculum, Ateneans had a taste of the school’s Spring Festival or the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration initiated by the Reading and Chinese Studies Cluster last February 16, 2010.

Although a couple of days behind the actual revelry for the coming of the new lunar year, the school celebration was held to introduce students to the traditional Chinese festival which is observed by Han Chinese all over the world.

Photos by Mr. Meljohn R. Tatel and Irvine Kenneby Lee

With Group 5 hailed as Overall Champion, the 11^th PISTAYM, a week-long festival of academic, cultural and sports competitions among teachers and students, ended with spectacle and revelry during the Cheer and Dance Competition and Awards Ceremony on February 13, 2010.

The students, divided into eight groups, competed in 38 events and were coached by their respective teacher-mentor group coordinators assigned for each group. Each group, rallying with each own signature team name and color, was composed of students from all year levels.    

Dressed in their stupendous Grecian-inspired gowns and astounding coat and ties, the Juniors and Seniors had their Junior-Senior Promenade held for the second time at the Doña Dolores Convention Hall of the Villa Caceres Hotel last February 7, 2009.

Dubbed as “Grandeur and Glory,” the prom was organized by the committee composed of the Juniors. Their main goal is to give tribute to the graduating Seniors and at the same time a farewell celebration for them.