THE contribution of the parents to the success of the student-athletes was underscored during the University of Cebu (UC) thanksgiving ceremony at the Cebu Coliseum on Sunday, Dec. 16.
“Without the parents, we will not succeed. The parents are behind the limelight but they’re the driving force for every athlete,” UC’s athletic director Jessica Honoridez said in her speech, addressing some 340 student-athletes and the guest parents.
UC had a dynamic season and won the overall titles in the secondary division and elementary class in the Milo Little Olympics Regional Finals. UC also won the Cebu City Olympics secondary overall title and finished at third place in the elementary level.
Honoridez lauded the performance of the athletes and thanked the parents for the trust that they gave to the coaches and to the school.
“The parents entrust their children to us, it is now our duty on our part to prove to them that they made the right decision,” she said.
The ceremony was attended by coaches and athletes in swimming, table tennis, badminton, volleyball, gymnastics, tennis, taekwondo, football, arnis, chess, weightlifting, basketball, track and field and karatedo.
To make it more special, every athlete wrote a letter to their parents. The selected students read the letter in front of the crowd.
Honoridez said that she’s excited for the future of the school’s athletic program next year.
“It’s really growing and I’m excited. I’m positive now, especially from the response of the coaches. I go directly to them because I know what they need. I was a parent, coach and athlete before I became an athletic director, so I fully understand them,” said Honoridez, who’s a multi-awarded table tennis coach.
UC will be adding the chess and athletics for elementary level next year.
“How the school can help these students is to help them finish their studies,” she said.
Meanwhile, Baldomero Estenzo was given the Honorary Service award for the scholarship opportunity he had provided to the student-athletes. (RSC)