SMU Holds First Flag-Raising Ceremony for AY 2025–2026
Saint Mary’s University held its first flag-raising ceremony for Academic Year 2025–2026 on August 13, 2025, at the Fr. Godfrey Lambrecht Stage (4 Pillars), organized by the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs and Services.
In his message, University President Dr. John Octavious S. Palina reminded the community to keep on living the values of faith, excellence, and service, always driven by excellence. With the collaboration of the administration, employees, pupils and students, alumni and parents, benefactors and suppliers, the previous academic year yielded so many accomplishments as an institution and within the various units of the university.
The event also included the turnover and oath-taking ceremony of the new Student Central Council (SCC) and Local School Council officers. Outgoing SCC President Nathaniel C. Mosqueda passed the key of responsibility with these words, “It was never easy to try to balance academics, personal, and extra-curricular matters. You realize you were just once a normal student, supposed to get up from bed, prepare, and go to your classrooms, have lunch with your friends, go home, do assignments, and sleep. It was a cycle I had to step out of. It was uncomfortable, it was draining, and it definitely took a toll on everything I had. But at the end of the day, I can say it was worth it.”
In her acceptance speech, SCC President Shevana Jairah M. Hernaz, who pledged to lead with dedication. “Being SCC President doesn’t automatically give me all the answers. But it gives me the responsibility to ask the right questions and to keep asking them until we find solutions. I don’t see myself as the ‘face’ of the council. I see myself as the hands—ready to work, ready to carry, ready to build.”
SMU College of Law Dean and Legal Counsel Atty. Epifanio Delbert G. Galima III administered the oath of office.
Written by and photo by: PIO
