ASNSHS: THE DREAM THAT TEAMWORK AND SEDIP PACKAGE MADE

On February 2002, the idea to establish a special science high school came from two great women of Agusan del Sur – Hon. Valentina G. Plaza, former Provincial Governor and Dr. Luz S. Almeda, former Schools Division Superintendent. This was written into a project proposal with a feasibility study by former Third Elementary Education Program (TEEP), DIA Ernesto “Boy” Villegas.

The Local Chief Executive, Gov. Adolph Edward G. Plaza through SP Resolution No. 32, s. 2002 authored by SP Member and Education Committee Chair, Hon. Virgilio L. Zoilo and Congressman Rodolfo Rodrigo G. Plaza who authored HB No. 4890 at the 12^th Congress and later HB 1830 at the 13^th Congress opened the new school named Agusan del Sur Science High School. Later, it became Agusan del Sur National Science High School by virtue of RA 9537 on July 28, 2008.

The SY 2002-2003 was the maiden year of operation of ASNSHS. The then governor authorized the use of the vacant offices of the Libarnes Bldg. of the Provincial Capitol for the needed classrooms and a faculty room.

To manage the newly opened school, the then newly installed Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Beatriz G. Omay and the Assistant Schools Division Superintendent, Crucita Z. Montejo-Taala appointed or designated two women to supervise the school, both formerly connected with the Science Department of the Division Leader School, Agusan del Sur National High School (ASNHS); they were Dr. Andrelie C. Bravo, Education Supervisor-I in Science as Project Manager and Mrs. Rowena A. Ranoco as Teacher In-Charge.

The pioneering school personnel was composed of five selected teachers from various existing public secondary schools who were pulled out through a memorandum from the Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Beatriz G. Omay. They were as follows:

Mr. Lolito M. Pontillas from Agusan del Sur National High School

Mr. Royones E. Batalon from Agusan del Sur National High School

Mrs. Gladys S. Asis from D.O. Plaza Memorial High School

Mrs. Elenita C. Plaza from Prosperidad National High School

Mr. Roberto S. Sabuero from Information Technology Unit (ITU) of the Provincial Governor’s Office Together with them is Mr. Editho T. Malazarte as the first utility/clerk of the school.

On its establishment, the priority was to work out for the school’s Government Permit and subsequent inclusion as a beneficiary school of SEDIP. The reforms at DepEd Central Office ushered by RA 0155 facilitated the granting of Government permit No. 1 to ASSHS by the then Caraga Regional Director, Celedonio L. Layon, Jr. This was granted on April 30, 2003 through the efforts of two lady executives of the Provincial Planning and Development Office, namely: Mrs. Liza D. Gilot for Social Services and Engr. Cynthia P. Lumanta for Infrastructure.

One year after, the school location was then transferred to the judiciary offices in the opposite building of the capitol, the Asis Bldg., due to the increase of the school’s population. For two years, the school’s operation proceeded at the vacant offices of the Provincial Capitol.

On August 5, 2003, the Ground Breaking Ceremony of the school’s new location was attended by its stakeholders from the Provincial Officials, DepEd and SEDIP Family, Local Officials, Parents, Faculty and Students.

With its implementation of SEDIP Programs and its different components, the school stepped up to a higher ladder in terms of providing quality education. Through this program, the school had hired competent teachers and attracted competitive learners. In 2007, the school welcomed Mr. Abraham L. Masendo as its school head and with his prowess led ASNSHS to much greater heights.

On its 15 years of existence, ASNSHS had been living up and had been true to its goal of bringing into being high calibre individuals. In fact, among the pioneer graduates and from the batches thereon one became Magna Cum Laude, many graduated Cum Laude, and another got recognized as the class valedictorian, not to mention the major and minor awards these alumni had been receiving as they graduate from famous state colleges and universities of the country. In addition, it is the school’s pride and honour to have produced doctors, nurses, CPAs, engineers and educators to name a few. These and more are the careers and tracks our graduates had been trudging until today. The success of the school through the achievements of its former students continued to gain appreciation, trust and confidence from the clienteles’ parents and from the community as well.

Consistently through the years, another mark of success can be attributed to the achievements, wins, awards and recognitions harvested and reaped by not only the students but also the teachers who participated in the different contests and competitions in the field of Science, Mathematics, Arts and Journalism from divisional to international levels. (As much as I wanted to mention them all to you, but it will take much of our time so let’s proceed and move on…)

In terms of extra-curricular activities, the school also ventured in organizing non-academic clubs like the ASNSHS Glee Club, ASNSHS Dance Troupe and ASNSHS Drum and Lyre Corps. These groups already made their names with their wins and invitational performances. The DLC most specially broke the record for their grand slam championship last year as they stayed on top for three consecutive years (from Year 2013 to 2015) as the champion of the DLC Competition held every Araw ng Prosperidad Celebration.

And for the record, for four consecutive school years since 2010-2011 to 2013-2014 , the school was awarded for being the Top-notcher in the entire CARAGA region on the results for the National Achievement Test (NAT). Those periods were under the leadership of Mrs. Arlin M. Batausa, Mrs. Rachel M. Blanco and Mr. Sandro R. Saturinas.

Furthermore, another historical milestone was set by the school as it held its very first grand alumni homecoming last December 27, 2015 here at the school grounds and later that day at Rosalinda’s Place, San Francisco. This event was successfully spearheaded by representatives from all of the batches.

Most recently, with the K-12 Program’s implementation of Senior High School Curriculum, ASNSHS offered the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Strand and received from the PFSED (Physical Facilities and Schools Engineering Division) a two-unit typhoon resilient classroom on March 2016. This building had been occupied by the grade 11 students since June this year and from then on been utilized as a venue for programs and occasions being facilitated by the school. These changes and developments were made possible through the cunning of Mr. Danilo P. Jore and Mr. Almer O. Cale. In its ruby year moreover, ASNSHS Community is blessed with another proficient school administrator in the person of Mr. German C. Talagon who will help skillfully maneuver the school system in achieving its dreams and aspirations.

With these accomplishments and milestones garnered and attained by the school, ASNSHS remains humble in delivering quality and science-based basic education to its clienteles. The unwavering support of the Provincial Local Government Unit, Parents, and all the stakeholders made these endeavours possible.

Through its simple yet phenomenal beginning, ASNSHS has grown to be one of the front liner schools in the division of Agusan del Sur in terms of academic competition and other educational-related activities. Though it’s a tough battle to undergo, ASNSHS hurdled through challenges and continued to surpass the expectations of the community as a whole.

Truly, we’ve soared high then, and with high hopes we will continue to soar higher now until forever with this mantra inculcated in our hearts and minds, “AIM HIGH, SCIENCE HIGH.”