Natural disasters, Covid-19 and shift systems were no match for the 177 students of Elmore Stoutt High School who graduated during a ceremony on June 22 at the Multi-purpose Sports Complex.
“Floods, hurricanes, pandemics and countless incidents have shaken our foundation,” Salutatorian Desarie Maynard said during her speech. “But we have emerged as survivors, united in our determination to triumph over adversity. Let us not dwell on the specifics of our trials, for they are etched deeply within our hearts. Instead, let us focus on what lies ahead, for that is where our true power resides.”
Ms. Maynard and her peers celebrated the conclusion of their time at ESHS with boisterous music from the school’s concert band and plenty of reflection on their academic hurdles.
She compared their ability to withstand trials to the strength and beauty of diamonds and encouraged her peers to let love guide them as they discover their identities and purpose as alumni.
Principal Vanessa Garraway praised the class, which included eight of the top ten academic achievers in the territory.
“You are now leaving the confines of ESHS, having proven that you have what it takes to succeed in the face of adversity,” Ms. Garraway said.
Dream big
Actor and soon-to-be director Sheldon Frett, a member of the Class of 2003, delivered the keynote address. He was the first Virgin Islander to act in a Hollywood major motion picture, fellow 2003 graduate Natalie Penn said when she introduced him.
“For me, dreaming is having ideas so big, so un-comprehendible, that the vision keeps you up at night,” Mr. Frett said. “Before you dream, think about the ‘D’ in ‘dream.’ Think about the dedication it is going to take.”
Valedictorian Aenya Meade said in an interview that she plans to study medicine, and while she’ll miss the fun of joking around with her classmates and enjoying the ESHS band, she looks forward to the next chapter.
As for how she and her peers navigated a post-Irma educational landscape, she said they had to adapt.
“We had to learn new ways to learn,” she said. “We had to adjust how we thought about life and how we did our studying in order to be successful.”
‘Bumpy road’
During the ceremony, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley congratulated the students for navigating a “bumpy road” to reach graduation day.
“You have had to face and overcome more obstacles than any generation in recent times,” he said, noting in particular the challenge of continuing to focus on their studies amid the wreckage of the 2017 hurricanes.
Also during the ceremony, Ms. Garraway offered a special tribute to the memory of the late teacher Kirima Forbes.
Tech school
Graduates from the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies celebrated on June 23 at the New Testament Church of God International Worship Centre in Baughers Bay.
The school’s Class of 2023 included 17 students.
Valedictorian Angeleah Cupid offered an emotion-filled thanks to each of the teachers who helped her reach her academic goals.
“I am proud of every single one of us,” she told the graduating class. “Though we endured many challenges, we overcame them to ensure a spot here today.”
Whitney Blyden was the salutatorian.
Keynote Speaker Dylan Penn asked the graduates to question what the moment of graduation means to them and urged them to not simply rely on their “potential.”
“How can you fulfil that potential?” he asked. “Never, never settle. This potential energy must be turned into action.”
Graduate Dinari Warner, who studied auto mechanics and plans to study marine engineering in the future, said in an interview that he was proud of his accomplishment given the self-doubt he faced.
“My teacher, Ms. Malone, always told me to keep pushing,” he said, adding that this encouragement helped him overcome the challenges of the hurricanes and pandemic. “No matter the struggles, just keep pushing.”
Anegada graduation
The Claudia Creque Educational Centre on Anegada also celebrated last week, when three secondary school students graduated during a June 21 ceremony at the campus.
Valedictorian Angelina Evans graduated at the top of the class alongside salutatorian Kyle Wheatley and Liaili Rosario.
All three graduated with honours.
SARIAH LAKE and KENDI BISPHAM contributed to this report.