Anglican Cathedral College holds 40th graduation ceremony
BELIZE CITY, Thurs. June 15, 2023
On Saturday, June 10, the Anglican Cathedral College (ACC) held its 40th graduation ceremony at the Belize Best Western Biltmore Plaza. A total of eighty-four graduates received diplomas during the ceremony, which was held under the theme, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams,” and twenty-three of those students earned a place on the honor roll.
Addressing the audience, Dr. Sheree Smiling Craig, representing the school’s board of governors, noted that ACC had zero dropouts this year and that there was a 25% increase in the number of graduates this year compared to the previous year.
Ms. Aleera Awayo, the valedictorian, and Ms. Briana Tillett, the salutatorian, delivered addresses to their peers, and Mr. Taedron Garcia and Ms. Brianna Myvett, who ranked third and fourth in the graduating class, were also acknowledged for their outstanding academic performance and delivered remarks at the ceremony.
It was also announced at the graduation that Ms. Awayo, the, valedictorian, would be receiving a $1,000 grant from the ACC board of governors to assist in paying for her tertiary education.
The guest speaker at the ceremony was Mr. Eluide Miller, an honor roll student from the ACC graduating class of 2014 who is currently serving as the Manager in the Office of the Mayor in Belize City. Mr. Miller, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in the same field, pointed to the invaluable skills he acquired at ACC, which played a pivotal role in shaping his professional trajectory.
Canaan High School commencement exercise
BELIZE CITY, Thurs. June 15, 2023
This past Sunday, Canaan S.D.A. High School held its 31st commencement exercise at The Hub Center on Lake Independence Boulevard. Thirty-five students, six of whom graduated with honors, received their diplomas during the ceremony.
This year’s vote of thanks was delivered by Ms. Gracy Rios, who ranked third in the graduating class, while the salutatorian and second-place graduate was Adelaida Rios.
The valedictorian, Densil Andrewin, who plans to pursue an Associate degree in biology at Saint John’s College Junior College, emphasized the importance of good character during his remarks. “What we carry in our hearts, in our minds, and in our souls today will determine our success,” he said.
He also commented, “If we wish to attain success in life, don’t be afraid to fail. Just make sure that God goes with you,”
“I was always interested in studying science, because my dream profession is to work in the medical field as a cardiologist, because I want to treat people that have heart disease and underlying issues,” he mentioned to Amandala in an interview following the ceremony.
The ceremony’s guest speaker was Darnell Sterling.
Of the 35 graduates, 18 were business students, 7 had majored in science, including Andrewin, and 10 were students in the general studies program.
Cornerstone Presbyterian High School holds graduation ceremony
CONCEPCION VILLAGE, Corozal District, Tues. June 13, 2023
On the evening of June 10, Cornerstone Presbyterian High School held its 17th commencement exercise under the theme, “God holds our future in His hands.”
At the ceremony, which took place at the school’s basketball court, 30 students received diplomas, and eight of those students were honored for their exceptional achievements. The vote of thanks was delivered by the third-place student, Derick Villamil, while Edmond Cocom was the salutatorian and Andrea Balam gave the valedictory speech.
Balam, who has received a scholarship from the University of Belize to pursue her Associate degree in Biology and Chemistry, remarked during her address, “We faced many obstacles, but with God’s assistance and our steadfast determination, we were able to overcome them all. Our hard work has paid off, and today’s graduation is just the reward.”
“In our pursuit of academic excellence, let us also remember that our futures are not solely in our own hands. We are part of a grander design, and it is through faith and trust that we find solace in knowing that God holds our destinies,” she advised her peers.
In an interview with Amandala, Balam commented, “Intelligence alone is not enough; it is discipline that propels individuals towards their goals and allows them to reach for the stars.”
Delille Academy High School holds 25th graduation ceremony
DANGRIGA, Stann Creek District, Tues. June 13, 2023
On the evening of June 9, Delille Academy High School held its 25th graduation ceremony at the Our Lady of Divine Grace Chapel.
During the ceremony, which was held under the theme, “My Delille, Carving Lasting Memories as We Build Milestones,” 47 graduates, eight of whom were honor students, received diplomas.
The evening’s theme of resilience and victory is embodied in this year’s graduation theme.
Salutatorian Aysha Choc opened the proceedings with a speech in which she expressed gratitude to her family, friends, and mentors. “You have always been my number one supporter—never doubting my abilities,” she told her parents during her address.
The evening’s highlight was valedictorian Melissa Flowers’ moving address. Melissa spoke about the challenges faced amidst a global pandemic and how it highlighted their resilience. “Failure simply means to step back and look at it from another angle and see the opportunity to begin again,” she remarked, adding, “The key point is the way we handle our difficult moments, our disappointments, and our failures. It should motivate us with the drive to achieve victory.”
The school’s principal, Ms. Dina Villafranco, during her remarks, also noted, “We know the meaning of failure, but it cannot hold us down. We’re Delille Academy, and we’re success-bound. Godspeed graduates, you are coming from a place where hope begins and dreams come true.”
The guest speaker, Mr. Kennrick Gonzalez, a Delille alumnus, and a Justice of the Peace, told the graduating class, “I urge you today to embrace the opportunity before you. Take what you have learned for the last few years and put it to good use. Leave behind what isn’t helpful and what doesn’t work. You are the greatest intervention; you are the greatest invention of your life.”
Gilbert Magdaleno, who was the third-place graduate, wrapped up the ceremony with a vote of thanks, acknowledging the joint efforts of all involved in organizing the event. He also acknowledged the efforts of his family who supported him throughout his academic journey.
Belmopan Methodist High School holds 7th commencement exercise
BELMOPAN, Thurs. June 15, 2023
On Thursday, June 8, the Belmopan Methodist High School held its 7th graduation ceremony at the University of Belize gymnasium in Belmopan.
A graduating class of 93 students, including approximately 43 honor students, marked their transition from high school into the next chapter of their journey.
Sixty-six (66) of these students will be furthering their studies at the University of Belize, while 4 will be attending Saint John’s College Junior College and the Cayo Centre for Employment Training (CET). Two graduates have also secured their place at Galen University.
The top three students were Tysha Daniels, the valedictorian; Kianni Wilshire, the salutatorian, and Joel Mckoy, who delivered the vote of thanks.
Wilshire encouraged her peers to continue reaching for their dreams in her salutatorian address. “Always remember that the opportunity to achieve greatness is within your grasp,” she declared.
Tysha Daniels, the valedictorian, reminisced about their unique challenges as they transitioned to online classes during the pandemic, and she emphasized the resilience and adaptability of the class of 2023.
“My fellow graduates, let’s celebrate this day with a smile on our faces, knowing what we have conquered, mountains of work, and surpassed once insurmountable obstacles. Let’s remember that our resilience was heavily dependent on our ability to adjust,” Daniels emphasized.
The guest speaker, Sarita Lewis, an English language teacher at the University of Belize and co-owner of the Water Fountain Christian Resource Center, shared a moving personal story about her own experiences of pushing boundaries and testing limits.
To conclude the ceremony, Joel McKoy delivered a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the parents, teachers, and administration for their unwavering support, and acknowledging their instrumental role in helping the graduates reach this pivotal milestone.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic High School holds graduation ceremony
BELMOPAN, Thurs. June 15, 2023
On June 4, 2023, Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic High School (OLOG) held its graduation ceremony at the Belmopan Civic Center, where 52 students, 11 from Arts, 14 each from Business and Science, and 12 from vocational and technical education (Vo-Tech)—received diplomas, with 22 of those students graduating with honors.
The top student, Layna Lien, who majored in vocational and technical education, delivered the valedictory speech. Lien, who was involved in initiatives such as the Martian Greenhouse 2.0 Project, the Energy 2022 Pathlight Project, and the OLOG Cancer Youth Arm Society, will be pursuing an Associate degree in Building and Civil Engineering at the University of Belize, and eventually venturing abroad to advance her studies.
She remarked during her address, “We aspire to lead with empathy, fight for equality, and champion causes that matter to us. I wish for all my fellow graduates to succeed and achieve their biggest aspirations.”
She also expressed gratitude to those who supported her along the way, especially her mother. “Mom, I did this for you! Words can’t describe how grateful I am for you being able to see me up here, but this is just one out of the many accomplishments as I continue to grow,” she said.
Speeches were also delivered by Anjali Thompson, the salutatorian from the science department, and Rodrigo Ruiz, who delivered the vote of thanks, as well as the guest speaker, Adeline Waight, an alumnus of OLOG and current employee at Belize Bank Limited.
Special mention must be made of Kienna Molina, the business major who earned the fully funded Presidential Scholarship to attend Campbellsville University in Kentucky, USA.