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THE GEMS OF GRADUATION SEASON 2016 PT 4 Featuring: Belmopan Comprehensive School, New Hope High School, St. John’s College, Wesley College, Toledo Community College, Ocean Academy, San Pedro High School, Muffles College and Delille Academy By: Alton F. Humes (Freelance Reporter) BELIZE CITY, Tuesday, June 7th, 2016 We are nearing the end of the BELIZE TIMES’ series of articles on the High School Graduation Season of 2016. But before we get to that inevitable end, there are much more schools to cover, as well as students to profile and celebrate. Belmopan Comprehensive School in the city of Belmopan has officially passed out its graduating class of 240 students, according to school officials we spoke to via phone on Tuesday, May 31st. 151 females and 89 males took the march this past Thursday evening, June 2nd, 2016 at a ceremony held at the University of Belize Gymnasium, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Valedictorian was Ms. Livia Castillo, of Class 4th/Science-1, and the Salutatorian was Ms. Jacqueline Olivas, of Class 4th/ Science-2. We go to Orange Town to highlight New Hope High School. The school held their graduation ceremonies this past Saturday, June 4th, 2016 at the Gala Lounge, with the event starting at 4:00p.m. The top 3 students were: Mr. Janiel Chan [Valedictorian, of the Academic Science class], Mr. Jose Luis Guy [Salutatorian, of the same class], and Ms. Erica Hernandez [3rd Place, of the Vocational class; delivered the Vote of Thanks]. Another graduation that has taken place as of press time is that of the venerable Jesuit Catholic institution, St. John’s College (High School), located on Princess Margaret Drive in Belize City. The Northside all-male high school graduated, according to Headmistress/Principal Ms. Yolanda Gongora 127 more enterprising young men, and thus continuing their lineage
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THE BELIZE TIMES
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Before Sunday’s ceremony, the BELIZE TIMES had access to the graduates when we went for an interview on Wednesday, June 1st at the Landivar Gym where graduation practice was being held. In the midst of those exercises, the trio graciously granted us an interview. Mr. Alegria and Mr. Pott are residents of Ladyville, while Mr. Rodriguez is from Belize City. Admittedly, Alegria’s and Pott’s fathers work on the opposite sides of the environmental protection spectrum in Belize
ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE
Salutatorian, Kyle Rodriguez
Valedictorian, Rhiki Alegria
3rd place, Joshua Pott
WESLEY COLLEGE
Salutatorian, Raleith Darlington
Valedictorian, Sichaga Samuels
4th place, Jaid Bey
TOLEDO COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Valedictorian, Kershaw Cho
Salutatorian, Kristine Duncan
of excellence in education. The ceremony was held on Sunday, June 5th, 2016 at the College’s Landivar Gymnasium on the Princess Margaret Drive campus. Official information as of press time is as follows the Valedictorian was 16-year-old Mr. Rhiki Alexander Alegria [of the Class of 4-Science, with
a Cumulative GPA of 4.31]. The Salutatorian was 16-year-old Mr. Kyle Anthony Rodriguez [also of the same class, with a Cumulative GPA of 4.03], while 17-year-old Mr. Joshua Feliciano Pott was recognized as the 3rd Place finisher [also of Class of 4-Science, with a Cumulative GPA of 3.92].
3rd place, Samuel Sam – Mr. Martin Alegria for the Government of Belize’s Department of the Environment (DOE), and Mr. Roberto Pott for the Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative (shortened to the Healthy Reefs Initiative). And it is with that level of responsibility that has been part of
both the difficulty and the inspiration in their time at SJC. All three young men pointed to the similar difficulty of remaining consistent and motivated to work, especially because of the virtually monumental standards set in stone from the school’s inception in the 1800’s. The three young men all pointed to times where they’ve felt internally (and sometimes externally) overcome by the challenges, but it’s Mr. Alegria who makes clear there is a way out to such difficulties: “There were times, especially after a difficult assessment, where you might feel bad… but there are always ways to become motivated again.” Indeed, the strong family backgrounds and parental guidance were mostly parcel in getting these young men to the summit of Sunday’s Graduation. Mr. Alegria’s mom Jillian was his motivation. Despite their separate lives, both of Mr. Rodriguez’s parents – mom Jacqueline and dad Santiago – were there for him, particularly his dad. And for Mr. Pott, his father, as well as his mother Sandra, were “guiding and counselling me through these experiences”. How, then, is the future shaping up for these brilliant young talents? For Mr. Alegria, who will take 18 CXC’s, he will remain on the Princess Margaret Drive campus, planning to study Biology and Chemistry at sister school St. John’s Junior College, with plans to become a Laryngologist (Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor). His advice to his fellow graduates and students goes like this: “Continue working hard, it wasn’t easy to reach this part of the journey. Continue to set your standards high.” For Mr. Rodriguez, who will take 8 CXC’s, his future for the moment isn’t in Belize, but in the state of Texas in the United States, where he will be living with his mother Jacqueline and hoping to get into the prestigious Texas A&M University. His advice to the graduates and students is: “Take what you learnt and use it to walk on the straight path. Don’t settle for mediocrity; remember what you’re here for.” Like his colleague, Mr. Pott, who will take 15 CXCs, will also be studying at St. John’s Junior College, majoring in History and Economics, with plans to study Law. His advice to the graduates and students is: “Continue studying and striving for excellence. Life has more for us down the road. No matter how difficult or how hard the road may become; if you keep striving, it will pay off in the end.” Still in Belize City, another venerable educational institution, Wesley College, had their Graduation Ceremony this Wednesday, June 8th, 2016 at the Ramada Princess Hotel. The school kicked off those ceremonies with a Valedictory Service held on Sunday, June 5th, 2016 at the Wesley Church, starting at 8:00 a.m. Vice-Principal/Acting Principal Continued on page 19