St. Scholastica’s College takes pride in awarding the SSC diploma to her first centennial graduates this year. A total of  1,136  students took  their  bow on center stage last March 22, 24, 25 and 26 for the Commencement Exercises of the Night Secondary School (NSS), Grade School, High School, College and Graduate School, respectively.  Except for the NSS, graduation rites were held at the field with a stage aptly decorated with the centennial symbols that centered on the theme, “100 Years of Scholastican Education: Excellence as our Benedictine Service to the Academic Community.” 

On its centenary this year, SSC conferred the PAX Award to two (2) women for having distinguished themselves in living out with exemplary zeal the Benedictine and Scholastican ideal of Ora et Labora.  Consuelo L. Tan who graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1941 was recognized for a sterling stewardship of public trust and for a teaching career of more than two decades marked by excellence and dedication in the fields of Chemistry and Mathematics.  Dr. Angelita T. Reyes was acknowledged for being one of the women pioneers in the field of dermatology and for sharing as prime mover and philanthropist in the development efforts of various institutions in the country.  Assisting Sr. Angelica Leviste, OSB, President in presenting the award was Atty. Ricardo J. Romulo, Chairperson of the SSC’s Board of Trustees.  Both PAX Awardees were introduced by Mrs. Florina F. Castillo, a PAX Awardee herself in 2004.  Guest Speaker of the High School was  Ms. Ched Limson, HS Batch ’79 who was introduced by Mrs. Louie Agnir-Paraan while the Grade School graduates were addressed with an Inspirational Talk by their Principal, Ms. Adelaida P. Villegas.  

This year’s centennial graduates received the Benedictine medal with the Apostolic Blessing from His Holiness, the Holy Father Benedict XVI who “invokes an abundance of heavenly graces for the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of the Manila Priory and to the administrators, faculty, students, staff, parents, benefactors and alumnae of SSC on the occasion of its Centennial Celebration”.  

For the first time this year, instead of addressing the graduates before the Baccalaureate Mass, Sr. Angelica Leviste, OSB, President called on the 530 centennial graduates to “participate in the missionary service of the Church and to work for the social transformation of our society”.  The Call to Mission, which took place after communion, incorporated the President’s brief inspirational talk urging the young graduates to resolve to continue living out the values of the Benedictine education in the practice of their profession, having been formed in the school of the Lord’s service.  

College honor graduates (see graduation data and statistics) are granted automatic civil service eligibility pursuant to PD 907.  This was announced to the graduating class by the Registrar after the Baccalaureate Mass held at St. Cecilia’s Hall on March 24, 2006. n