No One Can Stop You Now,* Graduates of 2013

To those anticipating their Graduation Day this week or next, congratulations and best wishes. Rejoice and celebrate, Class of 2013! And for those who have already had their 2013 Graduation Day, here's wishing you all the best in your future endeavors.

Congratulations and thanks are due also to all the teachers, mentors, instructors, professors and parents who have helped inculcate knowledge, skills and values, and who have inspired you to be whatever you want to be in life. Their leadership, professionalism, service, sacrifices, devotion and love have, undoubtedly, served as your role models in life.

As a former teacher/instructor and now parent of two young adult children who have had their graduation days (from elementary to college), I am proud of you, graduates of 2013.

I am very sure you and your caring-loving parents, relations, teachers and friends have been excited for and proud of what you have achieved so far in life.

You have done a gradual and incredible change to improve yourselves. You have challenged yourselves that you can do better. And you did it, one struggle after another, one hurdle at a time, one mistake and correction leading to success.

You have taken the risks, endured pressures from peers, parents, teachers, benchmarks, exams, Standards of Learning tests and more. But in the end, you emerged winners, because you have seen that spark of light leading you in the right direction, the straight path to life.

You found a meaning and purpose in your life, because you've tasted success and victory, after those moments that tempted you to give up. Now you have a reason to smile, rejoice and celebrate: You are a winner!

Graduation Day is another milestone in your life. However, it is just the beginning of a wonderful, challenging, and hopefully, successful life ahead of you. Now is the time to start to focus on the next chapter of your life.

What's next? Pursuing higher education? Finding a job? Taking a break for a while to ponder what to do next? Joining the military? That's up to you, graduate. Nothing is impossible, and no one can prevent you from going after your dream for as long as you're alive and well and have set sight on your bright future. No one can stop you now.

Remember that what you do in the future can impact your life, your family and the world at large. You are the catalysts of changes and reforms. The world needs you, is waiting for you to make it better, safer and more peaceful.

Adventurous, creative, imaginative and innovative as you are, you are our future.

Congratulations and best wishes!

-CHRIS A. QUILPA is a retired veteran from the U.S. Navy and long-time resident of Suffolk. Email him at chris.a.quilpa@gmail.com

*Published in Suffolk News-Herald's Opinion page, Saturday, June 8, 2013. Visit their website at www.suffolknewsherald.com.

Weekend in C-ville for Tintin's Graduation Day

My sis-in-law, my wife and I spent the weekend in C-ville. Our son arrived from The Capital and joined us Saturday afternoon, in time for Baccalaureate Mass for all UVA students graduating (like our daughter Tintin) the following day, Sunday morning at ten. That solemn Saturday Mass, concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Luke and Rev. Fr. Scott, both OP or Oblates of Preachers or Dominican priests, was held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

Sunday morning at seven, we're all ready for Tintin's Final Exercises at The Lawn of UVA. Since Tintin continues to stay in her dorm after her Final exams (because she requested for extension and was approved), we've decided to just meet and see her at the Lawn. We checked out of our hotel early and parked our van at a designated parking within the University campus. We thought we'd be the very first to arrive at the site but we're surprised to witness that there were already parents, besides those Graduation Committee crew and staff, who were there. (Two years ago, when our son graduated there, we were the very first parents to arrive.) Anyway, we got a good spot as far as the viewing, and picture-taking, of graduates doing their processional parade. It was past 10:00 o'clock A.M when the Final Exercises ceremony started. There's the overall atmosphere of joy and celebration in The Lawn at the University.

Well, folks, here's quite interesting to note on this joyous occasion: Six thousand and four hundred eleven  graduates were conferred their respective degrees by UVA president Teresa Sullivan! UVA alumna, Class of 1979 and former NBC Today show co-host and CBS news anchorwoman Katie Couric was the Final Exercises guest speaker. In her speech, she recalled her days at the University. Besides mentioning about the 3Rs (Reading, Writing, 'Rithmetic), she also discussed about the other 3Rs that the new graduates have to encounter in today's economy: Risk, Rejection, and Resilience. Likewise, she talked about her job encounters in her early years, her married life with two daughters with her late husband, her late sister who also succumbed to cancer, her  advocacy about fighting cancer, and briefly her forthcoming TV show Katie in September. Overall, her speech was inspiring and well-received and applauded.

After our late lunch/early dinner at a restaurant , our son drove back to The Capital for his work Monday. On the other hand, we took all of Tintin's stuff at her dorm. At 7:00 0'clock p.m., we left C-ville for Hampton Roads. It was almost 11:00 o'clock p.m. when we arrived home. Tired and sleepy, I was especially. But so proud to see my daughter Tintin graduated from college. Thank you, Dear Lord. Thank you, Jesus!

This is all for now. Until next time around. Take care and Have a nice day, everyone!-chris a. quilpa, 21May2012

Class of 2012: Rejoice and Celebrate!

It's that time of the year again when schools, colleges, and universities in the United States hold their commencement exercises! (In fact, some  U.S. colleges/universities have just had their commencement exercises already.) Yes, folks, it's time for Graduation Day! But to other countries, like the Philippines, their graduation days have long been over or finished since last week of March? or first or second week of April. Actually, it's summer over there now. That means that it's enrollment season again for the forthcoming school year 2012-2013. Classes in all levels, if I may recall, start second or third week of June. While they're having classes this June, elementary and middle/high schools here will be having their graduation exercises. Then, we'll have summer in the U.S. of A. America, that is. I, myself, am looking forward to summer, and the Fourth of July celebration.

Well, let me say this now: To the Class of 2012, congratulations and Happy Graduation Day! Best wishes to all of you, graduates, most especially to my daughter Christine who graduates with a bachelor's degree this Sunday at UVA, in Charlottesville, VA. We (your Mom and I, and your brother Andrew (UVA, Class of 2010), and your Aunt Rose) are all proud of you! May God bless and guide you always in your future endeavors!

At long last, the time has finally come to don that cap and gown and receive that rolled diploma, with congratulatory handshakes, while the solemn, classical music to the tune of "Pomp and Circumstance" is being played.

Yes, you finally made it, graduates! It's worth all the efforts, struggles, and the sacrifices. You deserve all the recognition because you've overcome all the rigors, and challenges, of  school life.

Yes, you've succeeded in overcoming challenges, pressures and stresses in all aspects of school life---academics, athletics and (other) activities. You can now relax as you reminisce those years in school.

Dear graduates, you have all the reasons to rejoice and celebrate today. Therefore, seize the moment, for it will become a memory, a nostalgic, happy memory to cherish. Take souvenir pictures. Capture those moments spent spent with your classmates, dear teachers/instructors/professors, best friends. Cherish their hugs and kisses, their mere presence. Enjoy the rest of the day partying responsibly and lawfully! You deserve to celebrate your scholarly achievement with your family, friends, and other relatives, etc.

To the elementary graduates, congratulations! You guys are so special, for you possess such an enormous energy and curiosity. Your capability to learn is so overwhelming! Keep on learning, and loving to learn while you continue playing with your friends or buddies. Keep on dreaming. believe in yourselves that you have potentials to succeed in life. Do your best in school.

To the high school graduates, my sincere congratulations for a job well done! You've demonstrated, to some  extent, a sense of maturity and responsibility. You've faced those challenges and changes taking place in your world of pop culture, computer games, cyber activities, etc. Whatever it is that you decide to do with your future, always look for the good and bright side in life. Just remember, no one can stop you from pursuing and/or realizing your goals and dreams. Your confidence and strong determination to succeed supersede all odds coming your way. Therefore, aim for higher education if you can. And do your best to pursue it.

To the college graduates, my warm congratulations! You are "heroes" to your parents, relatives, children (or grandchild/children, if you have). You're the role models for them as far as the value or importance of education in one's life. Your strong determination and hard work paid off and, at last, you're a winner---real survivor in the fight against ignorance, mediocrity and illiteracy.

Once again, to the Class of 2012, best wishes and congratulations! May God bless you all!-chris a. quilpa, 20May2012