A Journey Towards Excellence: Kumon 2010 Inspirational Speech

“No man ever reached excellence in any one art or profession without having passed through the slow and painful process of study and preparation,” thus Horace once said.

Teacher Ricky Santos, teachers, parents, fellow Kumon students, friends and guests, good afternoon.

Education is one of the very important aspects of the development of a person. It determines the future of a being as he encounters bumps and surpasses loops along his way of acquiring knowledge. It brings confidence to face the growing complexity of the world and the ever more changing situations one may be into. Thus, having good education gives an individual the sharpest edge to be able to stand out in this complicated earth.

Kumon is one of the greatest sources of good education. It develops not only brains but also character and attitude which are far more important than any knowledge. It brings the best in any student as he climbs the ladder of excellence with determination and perseverance.

In my three years of studying in Kumon, I can say that I’ve become the best of who I want to be in many ways. It sharpened my knowledge and molded my inner self as well. I used to be an underdog in Math when I was in elementary up to my year one in secondary. I know very well how difficult Math is and why a lot of students hate it and consider it as a huge problem. It is still in my memory that I was using my fingers to perform simple addition and subtraction during those days. And how can I forget the time when I used to list the multiplication table during exams just for me to answer my test questions.

Freshman days in high school were not so good for me. And so, during the vacation that year, mom decided to enroll me in Kumon. AND NOW, HERE ENTERS KUMON IN MY LIFE. First impression? Oh man..grrrr. I was afraid to enter the institution for I see it as a room only for students who have unusually large head and/or bulging foreheads. I’m not one and I never dreamt of becoming one.  But I was determined to make a difference in myself, so I took the challenge.

I started level B in Math Program April of 2007. That seemed very low for a 13 year old doing subtraction, I thought. I was even ashamed for a while. But then, that’s it, I could do nothing to change my starting level. I just did my best in each sheet that I was tasked to do. And so days passed and my level was getting higher and more advanced. Level G, H then M, N and O! I pushed myself in every sheet. I did everything I can in order to be in time and accomplish every item accurately. It was not easy. It was never easy especially when school assignments and projects come in the way. It was not easy when there will be a report and five quizzes the next day. It was not easy when periodical examinations will occur the following three days.

But never quit. I did my best even though a lot block the way. And now, after three successful years, I finished and completed Kumon Math Program. It’s just a matter of perseverance and urge to be successful. And for now, Kumon had done me lots of miracles. The previous fear in Mathematics had now vanished. Math is pretty simple. Math is now easy. And I’m proud, that Kumon is there, to help students cross the right road towards the fulfillment of dreams.

For all of you here, do your best and never get tired of acquiring knowledge. You’ve enrolled in a great institution so don’t waste the given chances. For those who are thinking of quitting, nah…forget it. You’ve enrolled in an institution that says: WE ACCEPT NO QUITTERS.

I would want to take this opportunity to thank our Kumon teachers for their undying effort to push us to what they know we can be. I personally thank Teacher Ricky for never giving up on me. Teacher Chris, thank you for being my teacher for the most part of my journey. To my previous teachers, thank you for building the foundation of what I’ve attained now.

As I end this speech, let me leave you with this: one Aspire issue said: “Your study in Kumon is a journey towards excellence – a journey that will uncover your boundless potential.”

Thank you and good day.

Uncover Your Boundless Potential: Kumon 2008 Yuletide Speech

“Uncover your boundless potential,” thus one of the Aspire’s issue says.

Teacher Ricky Santos, teachers, parents, fellow Kumon students, friends and guests, good morning.

When my mom told me the other night that I was tasked to deliver this testimony, I couldn’t think of anything to say. For one reason, I was doubtful if what I’m going to say will be right and appropriate for the occasion. Second, I really don’t know what to say.

But nevertheless, I’m here. So allow me to start…

Ever since a five-year-old kid step his foot on the grounds of a creepy and scary school, a massive input of knowledge awaits the excited pupil. From a simple ABC and 123, until he may master all equations, the processing of knowledge still continues and never will it stop.

Thus, Kumon is one of the greatest sources of knowledge for any student. I’ve enrolled in Kumon for nearly two years now and I consider it as a great help not only in my academics but also in my life. And for sure, for every student who is seated here now, you’re thinking of the same thing.

I was once an underdog in Math and I know how difficult Math is. I remember my grade school years when I’m using my fingers to perform addition and subtraction. And how can I forget the time when I used to list the multiplication table during exams just for me to answer my test questions.

And so here comes Kumon. At first, I was afraid to enter the institution for my first impression was that all students were brainy and I don’t even deserve one corner of the school. But I was determined to make a difference in myself, so I took the challenge.

And for now, Kumon had done me lots of miracles. The previous fear in Mathematics had now vanished. In fact, it’s the subject that challenges me the most and pushes me to do more and strive more. Thanks to Kumon, I can now go head-to-head and toe-to-toe with our Best Math Student. In fact, I’m a consistent contestant in Math tournaments in and out of our school. And I’m proud, that Kumon is there, to help students and fulfil their dreams.

Yet, I know, it is not that easy to surpass every worksheet. We encounter problems and calculations that are hard to understand. We get irritated if we cannot answer and thought of quitting. In fact, I know some of us now are planning to hold off. Well, that’s a challenge for us. We are urged to do our best and overcome our limits. We are asked to UNCOVER OUR BOUNDLESS POTENTIAL. And in fact, Kumon says: We accept no quitters.

Yet Kumon is not merely seen on what it teaches. For me, the knowledge is just half of what Kumon can offer. The FRIENDSHIP and CAMARADERIE that revolves around with the students occupies the other half of the institution’s goals. Knowledge will be nothing if we do not have friends to share it with. It is, indeed, but inspiring that Kumon does not only offer quality education, but the real essence of how life should go – FRIENDSHIP.

Let me take this opportunity to thank all persons who were involved in our success and victory.

Let us not forget to thank our parents who had given us all the opportunities to study in this prestigious school. Thank you, our dear parents for all the sacrifices you’ve done for us.

And who would forget our teachers here in Kumon? To our teachers, who now became our second parents, thank you very much for believing in us, compelling us and teaching us to explore our talents that lie within ourselves. Without you, this institution would mean nothing. Thank you very much.

As we celebrate this Yuletide season, let us always remember, and may it be always instilled in our hearts and minds, that Kumon had been one of God’s greatest gifts to each of us. It is indeed one of His extra special presents for us this Christmas for we gained new knowledge, gained new friends, learned from our mistakes, and learned from our mentors. May Kumon and its goals be an inspiration for all of us to celebrate this season with smiles flashing from our faces and joy bursting from the deepest parts our hearts.

As I end this speech, let me share to you one quote. “Happiness in life is not measured on one’s success or victory. It is measured by how we played the game.” Let us always UNCOVER OUR BOUNDLESS POTENTIAL.

Merry Christmas and may God bless us all.