The real honors aren’t worn—they’re lived in small acts of kindness
When was the last time we praised a child not for being the best in class—but for being the kindest in the room?
As moving-up and graduation season arrives, our schools are once again filled with applause, medals, and certificates. We celebrate achievers with the highest honors, top ranks, and glowing report cards—and rightly so. Academic excellence reflects dedication and discipline. But beyond the spotlight and the ceremony, there’s another kind of excellence that deserves just as much recognition: the quiet, consistent choice to be a good person.
It lives in the child who didn’t make the honor roll but waited patiently in line, helped a classmate carry their bag, or remembered to say “please” and “thank you.” It’s in the learner who may have struggled with lessons but offered words of encouragement to a friend. It’s in the ones who showed up every day—not to impress, but to improve; not to outshine others, but to grow alongside them.
These are the real victories. They may not be announced on stage, but they build the foundation for a life well-lived. And this is where we, as adults—parents, teachers, mentors—must look deeper and guide with intention. If we celebrate only grades and rankings, we may unintentionally teach children that their worth lies solely in achievement. But if we also honor respect, humility, perseverance, and kindness, we teach them that character is the truest mark of success.
This is, in fact, the very heart of what conduct awards aim to recognize, especially in the primary grades. These recognitions, though quieter, highlight the values that shape a child’s lifelong journey: honesty, empathy, responsibility, and self-control. They remind us that education is not just about intellect, but integrity. While medals may shine for a moment, values shine for a lifetime.
To every child moving up or graduating—whether with honors or not—we are deeply proud of you. You showed up. You gave your best. You kept going. And that, in itself, is something worth celebrating. Because at the end of the day, the greatest achievement isn’t what you bring home in your hands, but what you carry in your heart.
As parents, teachers, and members of the community, we play a powerful role in shaping what young minds strive for. If we applaud only the top ranks and highest scores, we send the message that worth is measured solely by achievement. But if we also celebrate honesty, resilience, humility, and kindness, we show that being a good person matters just as much—if not more—than being the best performer. Let us build a culture where children are not afraid to fail, where effort is honored alongside excellence, and where values are not just taught but lived. In doing so, we raise not just successful learners—but remarkable human beings.
So as we pin medals and hand out certificates, let’s also whisper a quiet hope: may our children grow up kind, respectful, and grounded. Because the real honors aren’t worn—they’re lived. And they will carry them further than any title ever could.
Maria Teresa B. Macasinag,
mariateresa.macasinag@deped.gov.ph
