2024 Snapshots: Treasured Memories from the MGCNLCA Community
Are you surprised by how quickly the months have passed us by? Soon, we’ll be writing our New Year’s resolutions again, only to regret not fulfilling them. But before you whip up that list, it’s always good to take a moment and reflect as each year comes to a close. With 2025 marking the start of another chapter in our lives and heralding the beginning of many new stories, let us remember all the wonderful memories we’ve shared. As members of the MGC New Life Christian Academy (MGCNLCA) family look back at the past year, here are some of their best memories with their fellow New Lifers that were truly some of the highlights of their year.
Rosalee Pagnamitan, Christian Education Department Head and Senior High School (SHS) Teacher
“I cherish the memories from our cell group, especially those sessions when we teamed up with another group,” the former SHS Supervisor reminisced. “We covered a wide range of topics—some serious, others just plain silly. I loved hearing the thoughtful questions from the students and the laughter that filled the room.” In addition, she also shared that visits from the school’s alumni always energized her, especially whenever her motivation started to dip.
Maricel Gico, Reception and Information Assistant and MGCNLCA Parent
As a part of the administrative office staff, the wife of Physical Education teacher Jesurey Gico, and the mother of Grade 2 student Ethan Rei Gico, she shared, “[My best memory in 2024] was definitely the time I was given the opportunity to handle the outreach fundraising [through] the fishball [stand].” The joy of serving and seeing the many students and parents who gave their time and resources for the outreach program was truly one of the most memorable moments for her during the past year.
Helen Oleta, MGCNLCA Parent
“For [the year 2024], the best memory [I] had with the [MGCNLCA] community was being able to do a book drive where the parents from the Damascus batch donated their kids’ pre-loved books to the lower batch, who in turn paid a cheaper price for their books,” said the parent of Grade 9 student Amara Marie and Grade 10 student Eliana Marie. She explained that it was one of her unforgettable memories with the MGCNLCA family because they were able to donate the funds raised to the school’s outreach team.
Elijah Samuel Tongco, Grade 11 Student and Student Government (SG) President
“[My] best memory was when I ran for SG president last school year,” he shared. Through the experience, he was able to connect with a lot of students throughout the entire high school. He commented, “[It was] definitely a challenging decision and experience. But despite those difficulties… I realized I can actually have a positive influence [on] the next generations… That experience made me truly experience interacting with various people from the [MGCNLCA] community.” Under his leadership, the SG has organized many notable events, such as Lifeweek, Teachers’ Day, Slakwa, and the Christmas Fair.
The bang of fireworks and the buoyant atmosphere of the new year signal the close of a year that has been filled with memorable events, from the celebration of the ACSI reaccreditation all the way to the successful completion of the outreach program in December. As we look back at the past and welcome a new adventure in 2025, let us not forget these memories that were made possible by the bonds we have forged together in Christ.
