Sadie Vernon Tech graduates 41
BELIZE CITY, Mon. June 9 2025
“From Sadie to the World, our journey begins” was the theme for 41 young women and men who received their diplomas in business and technical vocational studies, when Sadie Vernon Technical High School celebrated its 25th commencement exercises at the Bliss Institute in Belize City on Friday evening, June 6.
Tyler Young, valedictorian
“Success is not about how many times you fall, but how many times you get back up and try again,” guest speaker Sherlene Jones, Class of 2001, counselled the young graduates, as she recalled her university years, when she failed Statistics twice but passed with an “A” on the 3rd try. Sadie Vernon High was not co-ed when it was first established in 1997 as a school to offer a chance to girls who might not have matriculated for other institutions, and Jones was one of its first students. She cited how she had pulled herself up by her bootstraps, building on her high school diploma, to achieve a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Belize and a Master’s degree from Galen University, to become an Administrative Officer with the Treasury Department.
“Hardship builds resilience, let every struggle sharpen your hunger to succeed” she advised, as she recalled how she summoned the energy to attend night classes after a hard day’s work. “Fail forward”; she told the graduates, as she urged them to not be discouraged by failure, but to learn from their mistakes, and to persevere until they succeed.
“Surround yourself with people who will uplift you”, she recommended, as she thanked the teachers who had been her pillars of strength, who taught her to believe in herself. “Never forget where you come from,” she concluded, as she prompted them to take pride in their school.
“Today I celebrate not just my own success, but the collective strength and support of those who got me here”, top student Tyrel Young said in his valedictory address, as he recalled the countless hours of class work and balancing a part-time job with his studies that led to his achievement. He recognized that he had not done it alone, and thanked the parents who had supported him and his classmates achieve their goals.
“We learned how to be there for each other and how to develop ourselves with a positive mindset”, Adriel Sinclair shared in his welcome address, as he recalled the team work and group support that had helped him achieve the second highest grade point average in his class.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Mycah Neal also recognized all his mentors, family and friends who helped him achieve the third highest grade in the class.
Principal Deborah Martin noted happily that all top-3 students will each receive a full scholarship to the University of Belize, which has adopted the high school, as UB president Vincent Palacio PhD announced at the certification ceremony for the Digital Buddy Program last October. Their success was also made possible by the Upliftment Pilot Project of the Ministry of Education, which provided uniforms, full tuition and a nutritious daily meal, Martin acknowledged as she reviewed the past academic year. Jinay Hamilton and Limar Singh were awarded for their athletic prowess on the sports playing fields. The graduates had also excelled in the arts, as the school won two Golds and a Silver award in this year’s Festival of Arts for high schools, she cited.
Ninety-eight students graduate from Belmopan Methodist High School
BELIZE CITY, Sun. June 8, 2025
The 9th commencement exercise for Belmopan Methodist High School was held on June 5 at the Belmopan Methodist High School Auditorium, located in Belmopan.
Emma Lou Briceno, valedictorian
Ninety-eight students graduated.
The exercise began with the entrance of the graduates, which was followed by the singing of the National Anthem by the graduates, and the opening prayer by Bishop Elswith Clare, who also delivered a short address to the graduates.
Next was the salutatory address by Ms. Amber Ortega.
What followed was the report by the principal, Mrs. Indira Bowden, who outlined the school’s accomplishments for the school year.
Then there was the presentation of diplomas, certificates and awards, which were handed out by Mr. Neri Briceno, Ms. Velda Wade, Bishop Elswith Clare and the chairlady of the Belmopan Methodist High School.
The guest speaker, Ms. Diane Hall, was then introduced by Ms. Stephanie Portillo. Then there was a school song, sung by the graduates.
Ms. Emma Lou Briceno, the valedictorian, then delivered her valedictory address. The following is an excerpt from her speech: “I express my gratitude to God for the guidance and strength He has given me throughout my journey. I have to reflect on the unpredictability of the time us (sic) graduates have spent at Belmopan Methodist High School, emphasizing growth, resilience and transformation, rather than just academic achievement. Starting high school during a pandemic, we adapted to online learning; we formed bonds and faced challenges while choosing our majors. We learned that struggles signify growth opportunities, paralleling it with experiences”.
She maintained her focus on the graduation theme with the quote, “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts” by Winston Churchill.
Then there were courtesies and the closing prayer by Reverend Gilroy Lewis. That was followed by a lantern procession, marking the close of the exercise.
Maud Williams High graduates 51
BELIZE CITY, Mon. June 9, 2025
“Embrace your roots, bloom where you are planted” was the theme for 31 young women and 20 young men who received their diplomas when Maud Williams High School held its 22nd commencement exercises at the Bliss Institute in Belize City on Thursday evening, June 5.
Ajaia Hernandez, valedictorian
Salutatorian Priya Ramos welcomed the guests, but the top student, Ajaia Hernandez, who had achieved a 93.7 grade point average, could not be present to deliver the valedictory address, as she was out of the country and in the process of emigrating to the United States, as school principal Deborah Domingo explained. Instead, honor roll student Kaitlyn Zaiden read a short tribute to Ajaia’s academic achievements.
To Jasmine Zuniga fell the honor to introduce the guest speaker—education counsellor Georgia Griffith, who encouraged the graduates to be like a tree, to draw on their environment to enrich their knowledge and skills with new experiences in order to build themselves into successful professionals, to give service to their community and help others to develop to their full potential.
School board chairman Albert Vaughn presented the diplomas and special awards. Eight graduates had been on the honor roll for both their junior and senior years, and were thus recognized with their GPAs: Ajaia Hernandez – 93.74, Priya Ramos – 89.73, Charleston Castillo – 88.21, Jasmine Zuniga – 86.66, Kaitlyn Zaiden – 84.6, Jia-Lane Godoy – 84.31, Kyanni Ferguson – 83.415 and Skhy Banks – 82.375. Seven more had also been on the honor roll in their senior year: Andajah Parham, Eliseo Sambula, Shimell Stanford, Xanyah Garbutt, Jada Garnett, Tishae Gillett and Adela Melendez.
Charleston Castillo delivered the vote of thanks.
Independence High School graduates 196
BELIZE CITY, Mon. June 9, 2025
One hundred and ninety-six students, males and females, 51 of them on the honor roll, graduated from Independence High School at commencement exercises that were held on Saturday, June 7, at the Omar Longsworth Auditorium.
Ejey Acosta, valedictorian
The guest speaker for the occasion was Dr. Delia Madrid, a former graduate of the school.
The valedictorian was Ejey Acosta. The following are excerpts from her speech:
“Good evening, everyone! With protocol having been established, I now take great pride and joy in addressing you on this truly momentous occasion – our graduation ceremony. Today marks not only the end of one chapter, but the exciting beginning of another. It is a day of celebration, reflection and hope for the future. I am honored to share this special moment with all of you – fellow graduates, teachers, parents and distinguished guests – as we recognize the hard work, sacrifices and achievements that have brought us to this point. Behind us there are years of memories, some fun, some painful, all meaningful. I remember being that kid who was still learning English, trying to fit in, often misunderstood. I remember dealing with the pressure and feeling out of place, like I was trying to catch up in a race that had started without me. But I also remember the moments I decided I wouldn’t let that define me. I held on to where I came from, my Honduran roots and I kept going. I was positive that my dedication and ambition would contribute to wonderful memories. Look at me here today; I am leaving memories that I will definitely treasure for the rest of my life. Before us are dreams burning bright.
“Each one of us holds a vision for the future. Mine is to become a pediatric neurologist, someone who not only treats young patients, but also gives families hope.
“One day, I want to build a foundation to support children with cancer and neurological conditions. Because some dreams are born from love, from loss and a deep desire to give others what we once need most: care, healing and light in dark times. However, all our aspirations started with dreaming big and working hard to make those dreams a success. Yes, indeed, all of our dreams are before us and; however, they are only dreams if we do not do the work to accomplish them”.
Following that was the report by the principal, Omar Longsworth. Then there was the distribution of certificates, gifts and awards.
The exercise ended with a recessional by the graduates.
Our Lady of Guadalupe graduates sixty-six
BELIZE CITY, Thurs. June 5, 2025
On Sunday, June 1, 66 students graduated from Our Lady of Guadalupe High School in a ceremony that was held at the University of Belize Gym, located on George Price Boulevard in Belmopan.
Addrienne Henry, valedictorian
The graduation ceremony began with a processional by the graduates, which was followed by the invocation by Father Mateo Salam. Then there was the singing of the National Anthem by the students, accompanied by Pannerifix Steel Band.
The three top students were Addrienne Henry, the valedictorian who placed first; Isabelle Lawrence, who had the second highest score; and Siaa Romero, who was third.
What followed then was the salutatory address by Isabelle Lawrence and the remarks by the school’s principal, Mrs. Judith Lopez, who gave the report for the school year.
Then there was the address by the guest speaker, Assistant Commissioner of Police Howell Gillett, who gave an impromptu speech. Then there was an item by the steel band, which was followed by the distribution of certificates.
In her valedictory speech, Addrienne Henry said, “As we leave the gates of this school behind, let us carry our faith forward, not as something we recite, but as something we live. Let our purpose drive us. Let our excellence be defined, not by awards, but how we treat people, how we show up and how we keep going even when the road is hard.”
The master of ceremonies was Mr. Michael Kemp.
Our Lady of Guadalupe is a Catholic high school, located in Belmopan, that had its inception in 2003.
The vote of thanks was given by Siaa Romero.
One hundred graduate from Stann Creek Ecumenical Junior College
BELIZE CITY, Sun. June 8, 2025
The 38th commencement exercise for Stann Creek Ecumenical Junior College was held on Friday, May 30, at the Ecumenical College Auditorium, located in Dangriga, Stann Creek District.
Cindy Chiac, valedictorian
One hundred students graduated, 90 of them with Associate degrees and 10 of them with certificates in primary education.
The program began with a processional by the graduates that was followed by the playing of the National Anthem.
Then there was the invocation given by Mrs. Denise Flores Henry, and after that there were opening remarks by the Master of Ceremonies, Frank Mena. He reminded the students that behind every successful student there are great parents, teachers and mentors.
Mena’s remarks were followed by the welcome address given by Mrs. Kayla Stevens; then there was a song, “Times of our lives”, sung by Tyrone Wells.
After that, the dean of the college, Dr. Karen Martinez, gave her report. In that report, she noted, “We would not be here if it were not for the assistance and dedication of our stakeholders—both internal and external- therefore, I must start with gratitude. Therefore, it is with immense pride and gratitude that I stand before all of you today. This moment marks more than just an academic journey for our students; it celebrates persistence, transformation and the promise of a future shaped by the dreams they have dared to imagine and the legacy they are beginning to build. We are graduating a total of one hundred students this year: 74 females and 26 males. In terms of qualifications: 90 will be receiving Associate degrees and 10 will be receiving certificates”.
Following Dr. Martinez’s report, the valedictorian, Cindy Chiac, gave her speech, during which she stated, “In 2016, I walked through the gates of Stann Creek Ecumenical Junior College, wide-eyed, hopeful and ready to become a teacher in the primary education program. I had dreams, ambition and a plan. But life has its own curriculum, and sometimes the test comes before the lesson. I stepped away from the program, uncertain if I would ever return. God has not closed my chapter, however; he was simply turning the page. In 2023 I came back, not as the same wide-eyed girl, but as a woman with a fearless heart and a mindset aiming for the stars.
“Today, I stand before you, not just as a graduate of the ARTS Program in Sociology and Spanish, but as your valedictorian. If my short story says anything, it’s this: delays are not denials when God is in charge of your story.”
The guest speaker, Ms. Kylah Ciego, then delivered the keynote address. She is a dynamic social development professional, entrepreneur and community advocate whose work is rooted in purpose, equity and transformation. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a Master’s degree in Public Administration.
At the beginning of her address, she said, “Today is more than just a graduation ceremony. It’s a defining moment of years of sacrifice, growth and perseverance, and more importantly, the start of something new. You stand at a crossroad and beyond this point lies a world waiting for you. Today celebrates your academic success. It also marks the start of how you’ll use that knowledge, not just to chase your dreams, but to build your legacy”.
Then there was the conferring of degrees and the presentation of gifts and awards. This was followed by a farewell song by Angie Olivares, and then the vote of thanks by Ms. Dolores Galvez.