All the students of Silangan High had gathered in the covered court, finding themselves on their respective seats. All the preparations made by the teachers and volunteering students were finished, and the audience turned toward the stage where the senior student acting as the emcee stood in front of everyone with brimming confidence.
"The opening ceremony will now commence," he announced, the sound echoed out loud through the speakers placed around the court. "To start, the Principal of Silangan High, Mr. Edmond Saranyo, has a message for the students of Silangan High."
The emcee called upon the principal who was waiting patiently from the side. His movement commanded awe and respect as he made his way to the stage, taking the spotlight from the emcee.
"Good morning, everyone. Are you well?"
The whole audience erupted to a single word—Yes!
"I'm glad to see that everyone seems to be in high spirits today. That's good. My name is Edmond Saranyo, the principal of Silangan High. I am pleased to make acquaintances with all of you. If you have any concerns like, a trash lying next to a trashbin, feel free to reach out to me. I will personally pick it up and throw it in the right bin for you."
Edmond's introduction earned a chuckle from Callisto and every student in the venue. Edmond wasn't talking in a way that was him trying to assert his role as the principal in a condescending manner, rather his words felt warm and genuine.
He talked to the students as if he were standing on equal footing with them, as though one's social standing and the gap between his and everyone else's age in the audience held no significance whatsoever.
Realizing this, Callisto's respect for Edmond Saranyo deepened.
"As someone who had been in the same situation as you are now, I know that such an event can be a drag. That's why I appreciate all of you for attending the Silangan High's opening ceremony. First things first, I would like to extend a warm welcome to the new students who will be joining us this year."
At the principal's words, a signal was made by the teachers present around the covered court toward those who were attending the school for the first time—the 7th grade students, those who transferred to Silangan High from another school, and those who entered school for the first time after not being able to do so due to circumstances.
Callisto stood up after seeing teacher Novelyn Nalicia's signal for her. At first, Callisto felt awkward as she was the only one in their class who was instructed to stand. Then, she became aware that a lot of eyes were on her and made her a bit more tense than she already was.
"Well, if I see someone in the same situation as I am now, it'd be hard for me not to notice them either. But, I've been going around with my hair out for a while now but no one really questions me about it. At worst, people probably think I'm a weirdo for going around cosplaying or something. That's fine by me. As long as I can keep my secret hidden, being labeled as a "weirdo" is nothing."
Then, after releasing the tension from her body with her own words, Callisto looked around the venue, noticing all the 7th grade students standing up, and so did a few other new students from different grades. Her eyes landed on a couple familiar figures.
Unlike most students present in the opening ceremony that Callisto either encountered or simply noticed during the Brigada Eskwela last week, Callisto already had an encounter with the two rather familiar individuals way before the Brigada Eskwela itself.
One of them was the girl with light-blue hair on a wheelchair in the front row of grade 12 seats. She was the one who Callisto almost collided with back in the carnival in the Riverbanks.
Callisto remembered very well how she was mesmerized by the young lady's deep blue eyes. She didn't expect to find the girl in the wheel chair attending the same school as her.
The other one, someone Callisto didn't expect to find as well in school, was a boy. Just like the girl on the wheelchair, Callisto met the boy with his father, Arnold, in the Riverbanks on that same day back then. She got their attention after her eyes was struck by the afternoon sunlight and sent her writhing on the ground.
Callisto was grateful for their kindness.
Right after reminiscing a bit, Callisto looked back to the stage where Edmond continued to speak.
"To all the new students, the whole student body, the teachers, the staff, and myself welcomes you in Silangan High. Though the road ahead may be a bumpy one, may the next few years you'll spend with us be a fulfilling one, a memory you'll remember with a smile."
With that, the standing students gratefully accepted a round of applause from everyone else. Once Callisto and other new students were seated once again, the principal continued his speech, now addressing the current students of Silangan High who were then instructed to stand.
"For those who are now a grade above from last year, you've now gone one step above others. I implore all of you to continue doing your best and become someone who your juniors can rely on and take inspiration from."
Just like the new students, the current students also earned their fair share of applause. Soon after that, the principal directed attention toward the students who would be graduating this school year.
"For the students who are about to graduate this year, you've all done well in the past five years. Although some of you probably had it rough. Even so, you're all here, in the last leg of your high school. Remember to keep doing your best and enjoy your remaining time here with us. No matter where you go in the future, I know you'll be the best in what you do. Because you're a student of Silangan High. We're proud of you."
For the third time in a row, applause roared in the covered court of Silangan High. Once things settled down again, the principal began imparting the message he prepared for today with everyone.
"Every year, when I am granted the honor to speak in front of every single one of you, I am always looking forward to one thing. And that is to see the sparks everyone's eyes. To quench a curious mind, to overcome a difficult challenge, and most of all, to dream and reach for it. They are all the sparks of desire. Right now, just like the years that passed by, I am pleased to find that all of you, both old and new students, possessed the sparks of desire in your eyes. Today marks the start of another school year for Silangan High, a new beginning for some and a step closer to realizing others' desires. As the principal and a fomer student of Silangan High, I implore all of you to seek your answers, to overcome the challenges ahead, and to make your dreams come true. No matter how difficult it is, you must not give up. No matter the circumstances, you mustn't lose those sparks in your eyes, for it is everyone's right to desire."
For the fourth and final time in a row, the covered court erupted in a loud round of applause for Edmond as he finished his speech. As the principal expressed his gratitude for the students who listened to him, he took his exit from the stage. From then on, the opening ceremony progresses smoothly until the end.
The students were then told to march toward their respective classrooms.