Four years after the declaration of Martial Law, a new breed of young scientists entered as freshmen at Quezon City Science High School. We were young, idealistic, full of youthful energy.

It is said that high school life is the "best" life. These are formative years to the realities of life: we attend parties without our parents, gain friends, meet new ones, fall in love, become leaders and achievers.

Did our batch make a difference?

Mr. Madriaga called us the worst group, only to prove him wrong in the end. We became overall champions, with our model platoons (boys and girls) beating U.P. and Philippine Science, in the annual drill competitions under the training jurisdiction of the U.P. Dept. of Citizens Army Training (CAT).

With our vast pool of musically-talented seniors forming the core, our school glee club, the "Himig Scientia," bagged top honors at the Virra Mall Songfest.

Individual and small group awards were in abundant supply as well. Four seniors would be recognized as Outstanding HI-Yers of the Year. Not to mention all the awards received at youth Press Conferences, Leadership Training Conferences, and various levels of Science and Math Fairs and Quizzes.

Our story did not end upon graduation. I don't recall walking up on stage, collecting my diploma with one hand, and shaking the school principal's hand with the other. Much to many's disappointment, our four long years at Scientia ended not in style. We flocked to a colossal sports dome in Cubao, with several thousand other candidates from different schools for an immemorable commencement exercise en masse. "Would the candidates from Quezon City Science High School, please rise."

( To be continued... )