“She is clothed with strength and dignity…” (Proverbs 31:25)
During Alison’s graduation party, my mom came up to me and beamed, “Two for two!”
I replied, “Yes - thank You, Lord!”
I’ve always credited God’s guidance, as He led me to the greatest partners in education we could ask for (Judith Baker Child Development Center, Holy Angels School, and Millennium High School), as well as the unconditional love and never-ending support from our village (family, extended family, and friends, who are our chosen family).
But lately, I’ve also thanked God for the good children that Edward and Alison actually are. I’ve come to realize that while Edison and I have done our best: 1) to parent them; 2) to nurture them within the best village possible; and 3) to help them navigate through the best educational institutions available, it was still up to them to make use of what has been given them.
Another full-circle moment was when Alison, just like her Kuya (older brother) Edward, was featured on the “Alumni Spotlight” of the Holy Angels Newsletter:
Holy Angels School Alumna (Class of 2017) Alison Balingit is currently a senior at Millennium High School (Tracy, CA), where she’s been playing for the Girls Basketball Varsity since freshman year (with the exception of her senior year due to the pandemic). She is completing her fourth semester of the College Early Start Scholarship Program, a partnership between Millennium High School and San Joaquin Delta College. She is planning to transfer to UC Davis to major in Biology. With her passion to take care of God’s creatures, she plans to become a veterinarian. She and her family will forever be thankful to Holy Angels School for helping “develop the whole child: spiritual, intellectual, social, psychological, and physical” in Alison. Once an Angel, Always an Angel - thank you, Holy Angels School!
She definitely had a tough senior year, but I never realized the challenges of Alison’s high school life until the student speaker at her graduation summed it all up: they started their freshman year off-site, as their campus was being renovated; just when they were used to their temporary site, they had to move back to the newly-renovated campus; during their junior year, the pandemic hit; and their entire senior year was mostly spent “seeing their friends through their laptop screen.” One good thing they at least had: an outdoor graduation ceremony!
I felt a sense of pride for how Alison handled all of this with strength and grace. We were also grateful for:
The Varsity Basketball Team that Alison had been a part of since her freshman year - what a blessing for her to be surrounded by strong and beautiful young women just like her;
The great programs and courses at Millennium, along with her basketball coach, teachers, counselors, mentors;
And most especially her Kuya Edward, who has inspired and influenced her to reach her goals of obtaining: 1) her driver’s license, and 2) her first part-time job during her senior year.
Pride. Joy. Admiration. Congratulations to our not-so-baby girl and the Class of 2021!
Alison from Preschool to Highschool Graduation
Dear Lord, thank You for clothing Alison with strength and dignity. Please continue to envelope her in Your love as she follows Your will for her. Amen.
