Saturday, May 20, 2017– The last day of the 2017 Ateneo Senior Summer Program was jampacked with events held at the Carlos Dominguez Conference Hall and the Multi- Purpose Covered Courts of the Salvador Campus in La Purisima St.
In the morning, the ASSPeans held a thanksgiving ceremony to show their gratitude and appreciation to their Agbays (college guides) for the five weeks of mentoring and assistance. The participants showed video presentations to pay tribute and gave tokens to their Agbays in remembrance of their summer together.
Sapientia et Eloquentia
In the afternoon, guests and alumni of the ASSP witnessed the most awaited competition of the entire program–the Choral Speech Competition. The contest piece, “A Neophyte Tells his Story”, revolves around the case of Leonard “Lenny” Villa, a law student who died during the initiation rites of a fraternity in 1991. Considered as one of the highlights of the program, the Choral Speech Competition promotes the Ateneo culture of Sapientia et Eloquentia (wisdom and eloquence) being one of the major educational maxims of every Ateneo school. This motto has been a driving force among Ateneans as they continue to aim for academic, social, and spiritual excellence.
Commencement Exercises
Immediately following the Choral Speech Competition was the Commencement Exercises of the Ateneo Senior Summer Program. Nicole Gagula, 25th Batch President led the other 45 candidates for graduation. Proficiency Awards for the different subjects and competitions were awarded to deserving ASSPeans. Fr Ramon Prudencio “Denny” Toledo SJ, a former faculty of the program, graced the ceremony as the Guest Speaker.
Grand Alumni Homecoming
A grand Alumni Homecoming capped the summer program following the graduation rites. ASSPeans from various batches flocked the Multi-Purpose Covered Courts for a program and fellowship. Angeline Rojas Cuizon from the pioneer batch of the ASSP delivered the welcome address. Engr Aldrina Hitalia, a former faculty, and one of the brains behind the program, gave the Inspirational Message while Emir Españo, co-founder and former ASSP Program Director, closed the fellowship with a message. Also present during the event were faculty members of the program and Conrado “Shing” Balatbat, current Program Director of the 25th ASSP.
