Ethan ChuaToby Chuanico

We’reFRESHMEN

First Days

! When I first entered high school, I was pretty much overwhelmed. It was a new class, a new building, and even a new grading system. Everything seemed so different - of course I was nervous.

! But, my nervousness didnʼt last for very long. Soon, I found out that my class was filled with friendly, outgoing people, all who were willing to lend me a hand. I also found time to talk with old friends from grade school, while finding new ones in H1D.

! The teachers were all very supportive, and, with their help, adjusting to the new system of assessments and grades seemed practically easy.

! Overall, my first few days in high school quickly went from a nervous, worried start, to one filled with excitement at the new adventures to come.

! They say high school are the best four years of my life. And, with only the first few days past, they already seemed like such.

! ! ! ! ! ! -Toby Chuanico

Tests (Oh, wait. Assessments.)

! One of the changes I most dreaded in high school was the change of tests to assessments. This meant that the usual combination of quizzes, class standing, seat works, home works, and other activities for the final grade was now null and void. Instead, there would be three to five assessments and a quarterly test (excluding the third quarter). These would be the sole bases for oneʼs final grade.

! Assessments also focused more on projects than on simple pen and paper tests. Examples would be vlogs, websites, videos, essays, and even group presentations.

! At first, I thought this change would be hard to deal with. However, as the year went on, I found that having projects instead of pen and paper tests actually led to more creativity, hard work, and, ultimately, a better learning experience.

! Also, the various group projects allowed me to practice my leadership skills. These opportunities were especially valuable when it came to class projects such as the school fair.

! But, there was one down side to the assessments. The scheduling of assessments was not well coordinated. As such, nearly all of the assessments were crammed towards the final few weeks of each quarter (thus, the infamous “hell week”).

! In summary, though, the change was worth it.! !

! ! ! ! ! -Ethan Chua

Behind Bars Service Interaction and Recollection

The Behind Bars Service Interaction was one of the most eye-opening experiences in High School. Before I entered Bilibid, I expected the worst. I thought the inmates would be rough, hardened killers inside a concrete prison compound. I thought that theyʼd laugh at us, high school students, coming to visit them. When I finally arrived, I was in for a shock.

The prison inmates were actually very friendly, and nearly all of them expressed a desire to change for the better. The so-called “prison” actually doubled as a correctional facility, and here, prisoners were taught basic to advanced education. Some even got the chance to get a college degree in Bilibid.

The prisoners even prepared a song and dance number for the people visiting them. In the end, my view of prison life had changed completely.

! ! ! ! ! -Toby Chuanico

Staying in H1D brought me a whole lot of adventures. The sabayang pagbigkas, or group recitation for Filipino class, brought me together with many people who I didnʼt think Iʼd get to know well. Our class group managed to get 3rd place, and the hard work poured out by all of us brought us together.

Another fun class activity was organizing a program for our visit to Bilibid. With the help of the talents in the class, we were able to organize two song numbers which turned out well enough.

To be honest, I have never bonded so closely with a class in my entire Xavier school life than I have with H1D, and I wish them all the best as we soon move on to H2.

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! -Ethan Chua

One of the most fun moments of the school year was when our class worked together to make the Filipino bulletin board. Instead of just sticking to a simple bulletin board, we decided to make a robot - and we did. It worked.

FIRST PLACE! :D! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! -Toby Chuanico

Making a winning fair booth:H1D style

DUNKIN’ DOBBY

During the school fair, our class really came together to work on the fair booth. We managed to create an easy game concept (something like pachengko, but spinny!), along with many prizes, and even a castle design on top of our booth in keeping with the fairʼs medieval theme.

Come fair time, the everyone did their part. The advertisers shone by bringing more and more customers to our booth. The people in the booth itself, such as the chit collectors and the prize handlers, gave their all - some even stayed the whole day. A shining example was our class president and our class secretary, both of whom spent the entire Saturday and Sunday working in the fair booth.

With the entire class working together towards a common goal, our fair booth managed to earn the most money in all of High 1. (And, weʼre proud to say half of our profits are going to charity.)

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! -Toby Chuanico

WE’REFRESHMEN (And proud)