In my four years of existence as a bona fide student of KNCHS, I have experienced what every typical KNCHS student experience.
I’ve endured the hostile stares at the mall, those insensitive words from some drivers, the always negative connotation of our school uniform. Several people judge us. Well, whether these opinions are true or not, I am convinced that KNCHS has become a big part of all its students’ lives. KNCHS may not be the best but it definetely is among the most unique schools of all time.
If American high schools have their COOL table, LOSER table, NERDS and the SKATERS - KNCHS also has its very own version of high school cliques.
We have the SPECIAL CLASS group where the competition is always stiff and students’ lives revolves around assignments, projects, plays – you know, all those stuffs that will give you high grades? (Not that they complain or anything) Normally, they are expected to be perfect examples all the time, but hey. They’re just humans. Sometimes, they commit mistakes. All of us do right? Pray, don’t be too hard on them, they are pressured beyond their wildest imaginations already.
On the other hand, we have the PUNKIZTA. Whew! KNCHS was definitely taken by storm by these people! It almost came to a point where almost half of the school’s population – all five thousand or so of it - belonged to this group! They’re the ones we usually see in high-cut shoes, wearing black earrings, applying heavy eyeliners, styling their hair with bangs, clad in skinny jeans and loves black. They normally don’t care about grades but they care about having fun for the moment. (P.S. Emos were not yet born at the time of this writing.)
Next in line are the CUTTERS. Well. These are the guys who OWN their own schedules. You know – the people who choose when to attend a class? They decide which class they are going to sit in. Strange? Sadly, this is true. These students are even close to being a dropout. But yeah. These people are worry-free. I just hope they will realize the value of being educated before it’s too late for them to get right with life.
If they have the AMERICA’S SWEETHEARTS, we also have the KNCHS SWEETHEARTS. This pack is comprised of those people who can never live WITH or WITHOUT a girlfriend or a boyfriend for a long period of time. In so doing, they end up having different boyfriends and girlfriends. I never did get the point of this entire 'sweetheart' thing but anyway, if it makes them happy, then who am I to jeopardize their psychological being?
We also have the ATHLETES. This bunch is easy to locate. Just go to our field and you’ll be able to see them. Note: they ALWAYS come in groups. And they always bring home the bacon. Keep rockin’ guys!
Also, we have a group called GAMERS – this group practically live in in internet cafes! They spend their time and money playing DoTA, Counterstike, Mobius, Gunbound, O2 Jam, Flyff and a whole bunch of games. If you’re with them, you’re gonna feel like they never run out of money or else they own a bank or something ‘cause they always have the funds for gaming. Well, if only they have that much to spend on their school projects, imagine how grand their projects would be!
We don’t have CHEERLEADERS here like the traditional American way, but we have the FASHIONISTAHS. They’re the ones who set the trend.
So, that comprises the population of KNCHS. It’s a potpourri of unique personalities, all with different inclinations in life but all are bounded by their loyalty to KNCHS.
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What do we love most about KNCHS? First, it’s the thing called FREEDOM. Here, you can do stuff you want to, be whoever you want to be with no trappings as well as insignificant rules regarding what to wear or what to do. Here, you get to meet people from all walks of life. It’s not just limited to the rich or the poor. Here, you’ll know EVERYBODY. If you’ll make it here, you’ll make it through life.
Yes, well, I believe in this. See, people usually perceive KNCHS as a school for losers but little do they know that KNCHS offers the best education in life. KNCHS teaches everyone to be independent! This is apparently one aspect of life that is not taught in most schools. They focus on manners, the way people dress or the way people speak – but they never instilled independence in their students.
It is here that we were taught the basic steps of standing on our own feet. It is only here that you can find agriculture, electronics, culinary arts, drafting, ICT and many other subjects that will enable anybody to be equipped in the real life whether or not they’ll be able to go to college. Where else can you find that? These subjects actually hone our skills since these are not just taught theoretically; we also get to perform them in the field. (In fact a computer programming graduate was convinced that he was given a genuine photo, when in reality it is a product of GIMP, because of an elective subject).
Many people say KNCHS’ students are the worst. We’ve proven them wrong. Who dominated the Math Olympics? Who championed during Science Quiz and Congress? Who topped the City MEET? Who ruled during the STEP competition? Needless to say, we do have our strong points. This school that everyone sees as something a little more than an insect is, in fact, the one that garners the most number of awards in competitions.
With these in tow, how come some people look down on KNCHS students? It is because some of its students did something wrong. But, for the sake of fairness, there is no such thing as perfect school as is a perfect student. Every school has its best and worst side. And KNCHS is not an exception of this.
Come on! Open your eyes! Not all the students here belong to the elite. Conspicuous consumption is a luxury that they can't afford. They're not 'classy' but they're not trash either. Rather, they are children of humble origins, yearning to learn and longing to be accepted by the society. Give us a chance. Don't force us to tread the path of self-fulfilling prophecy.
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Anyway, despite the things they say about our alma mater, we still love KNCHS. It is where we learned how to laugh and respond when things get tough. It’s where we learned to start fighting for our rights. It is where we gained friends. It is where we experienced the greatest days of our lives; Intrams, JS Prom, the lazy Friday afternoons, the High School Days. It is a home where we can be ourselves. It is where many of us discovered and knew love – love that we’ll never forget for the rest of our lives.
We owe a lot to KNCHS. So they can say anything about this school but we know that nothing can compare to our Alma Mater. We are proud to stand tall and look up high, with dignity in your name!
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This article was written as an eye-opener for all students. Its main objective is to inspire students. Any offense caused is unintentional. God bless us!
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