_{Tyler Young, valedictorian}

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.

“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.