REVISITING my student life at Bohol Wisdom School (BWS) about six years ago, my days consisted of early morning strolls around the school, waiting for the sound of the morning bell, while at times, a rush from the guardhouse to the classroom, often arriving in the middle of the teacher’s lecture.
After the morning periods, I would hurry to the canteen, hoping to find some refreshments to snack on. Lunch breaks were lively, with the canteen filled with chatter, and my friends and I would eat quickly to ensure we had enough time to relax on the playground. Occasionally, we would also spend our break in the library, immersing ourselves in books or just a casual stroll along the school. In the afternoons, we would be filled with laboratory activities and focus on learning new concepts. At the end of the school day, we would leave our bags at the guardhouse and play in the playground and open fields while waiting for our guardians.
Life as a BWS student followed this routine schedule, but it was far from mundane. With state-of-the-art facilities that invoke experimental and developmental learning inside and outside the classroom, as well as skilled and passionate teachers to guide the students through every step they make, no doubt this school has equipped its students with sufficient and exemplary knowledge that serves as the foundation for high school and further studies, while also being a medium to inspire self-expression and discovery for the young curious who wish to reach greater heights and future ventures.
However, life does not always allow a smooth ride for all, and the academic path is never an easy one. With the constant adjustments to social and academic environments as students navigate through the slow shift to adolescence, the pressure to excel in academics, coupled with the struggle to fit into new social circles, the students tend to be prone to academic burnout which sometimes led to feelings of loss and confusion in their self-discovery journey. These were some of the struggles that I, myself, faced in my elementary years.
Despite these challenges and hardships, the constant support of the BWS faculty had been a beacon of hope not only to me but to many and is evident in their continuing success in producing lifelong learners who embody the true spirit of their alma mater. Their commitment and dedication to providing a nurturing and supportive learning environment have been a key factor in my personal and academic growth and have been an immense help in my pursuit of further academic studies.
As a previous BWS student, I am forever grateful and proud to have been a part of the BWS community, and thank you, BWS, for all the memories, learnings, and hope, and for indelibly inspiring me to achieve greater heights and becoming the best version of myself. – Thresia Maerin Lungay Chatto, BWS Elementary Graduate Batch 2019
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One of my fondest memories at BWS is performing on the stage at the yearly Foundation Days. One of my most memorable performances was playing the role of a Roman guard in the school play, “The Star” when I was in third year high school.
Little did I know that I must jump out of the stage in one of the scenes. Although the stage was not significantly high but having acrophobia or fear of heights made it quite challenging for me. For the love of my role, and left with no choice at all, I jumped pretending to be brave during rehearsals and on the final show!
I looked forward every year to the practices that began in November and the actual show production on the first week of December. Indeed, being a performer was part of our BWS life whether we liked it or not!
All the life skills I acquired prepared me for my Engineering course and profession. The academic learning, discipline, and pressure gave me confidence to face the bigger world ahead.
BWS always plays a vital role in my life. Wherever we are, we have the imaginary BWS seal stamped on us, and this is recognized through the kind of work we do.
I am proud to be a part of you, my dear BWS! Cheers to the ninety fruitful years! – Engr. Louiel Ian R. Lomotos, BWS Elementary Batch 1998, BWS HS Batch 2002
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The writer hosts Woman Talk with Belinda Sales at 91.1 Balita FM Tagbilaran City every Saturday, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. She can be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN
