On the evening of Tuesday, October 27th, it was Fifth Form’s turn to hold its annual graduation ceremony, following Sixth Form’s which was held on the previous evening. The Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School’s two Classes of 2020 shared the same theme, “Embracing the Possibilities: A Renewed Vision for the Future”.
On Tuesday, Fifth Form boasted a total of 162 graduates who proudly walked the aisle of the Rodney MacArthur Auditorium in cap and gown, marking the end of their five years spent at the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School. Some of these students will move on to the optional Sixth Form, while others will leave school to possibly enter the work force or pursue studies abroad.
The large auditorium was packed to capacity, and even standing room was, in some cases, difficult to come by. The ceremony got underway as the school’s concert band began playing “Broadway”, and flag-bearing cadets made way for the graduates to enter, two by two, until they all occupied their beautifully adorned seats.
Pastor Ashford Desouza offered the prayer of invocation, after which the Chairman, Mr. Jerome Richardson, was introduced by Ms. Carina Rouse. He then introduced the Keynote Speaker, Mrs. Aunika Webster-Lake.
Mrs. Webster-Lake’s speech was charged with passion and excitement. She had some very wise counsel and sound advice for the graduates as she expounded on the graduation theme. She likened the pressures and struggles that the graduates experienced in 2020 to the making of a diamond. “The year 2020 was a year of hardship and struggles, but that is how we become what we ought to be. Look at the diamond,” she said. “We can say that a diamond has a 2020 year every time it goes through immense heat and pressure, but after all it endures, it turns out to be what it was intended to be — a shining, precious diamond.”
She continued: “This address is for all members of the class of 2020. Whether you are in this auditorium or not; whether you have met the graduating policies and criteria or not; what I have to say is also for you. It is for you because the future of possibilities that you can embrace is not driven by policy or criteria, but your future of possibilities is driven by what is inside you. Embracing possibilities means that first we must love ourselves, because if we don’t, then your future would never be bright.
“It is true that the year 2020 has left us in many ways changed and reflective. It has forced us to be innovative, and it has brought out some of the best things in us. It has also showed up our inadequacies. It has brought to the fore some of the things that we must do differently.”
She continued: “We must ask what does ‘Embracing the Possibilities: A Renewed Vision for the Future’ really mean? While this theme can be interpreted in many ways, I am choosing to view it in the simplest way possible. A renewed vision requires that every one of you refuse to be controlled by popular
opinion or external agendas. It requires that you do not become complacent in your efforts. It requires that you accept and acknowledge that the whole world is facing a crisis, and your actions or inactions can either help or hinder.”
She went on: “You must prepare yourselves and govern yourselves with caution. You must not cave in to outside expectations. You must understand that whether or not you may need a plan for the future, it is always best to have one. A renewed vision requires that you do not confuse fame with fruitfulness. You must learn to choose between what is important and what is popular. A renewed vision requires that you embrace the possibilities of being able to bring your thoughts to the table. And, if you have no seat at the table, do not walk with a chair to sit at somebody else’s table. Create your own table and have your own chairs.” (Met with cheerful applause.)
“A renewed vision,” she went on, “will require that you do not fear Goliaths. In life, you will bounce up on some giants. They will come upon you hard and fast, and conquering them will seem impossible because they are outwardly huge. But the facade of your giants will never be able to stand up to you while strategising your way forward with a plan that can effectively cater to making detours. You will find out what kind of metal you are made of when life is most challenging. So embrace the possibilities.”
Then, with a heightened sense of passion and emotional fervour, she proceeded: “A renewed vision includes your unwillingness to be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim; accept no one’s definition of what your life should be. You have been place here on Earth with purpose. The fact that you are sitting here at this moment, breathing, means that there is indeed purpose and greatness within you. And don’t you ever let anyone dull the light that exists inside of you.” (Met with cheerful applause.)
Mrs. Lake-Webster’s message was quite substantive and priceless, to say the least. And while we cannot mention all she stressed, a couple more points would be worth the record here:
She continued to challenge the graduates to avoid every kind of inferiority complex: “Never live down to people’s expectations,” she proclaimed. “Set your own goals and endeavour to exceed them. Embrace the possibilities of what you can offer to this world. A renewed vision means that you must catch sight of the fact that no one will come to your rescue. So, get up and be your own hero. Stop the sitting down and waiting for things to work out. Plan and make things happen, even though you may meet stumbling blocks.”
“At times you may feel like quitting” she said, “but that is the time you must press on. Do not expect anyone to stoop down to change your life… You have a brilliant mind with all the technological advances at your disposal. Refuse to blend in or fade into a background. You are an original — singular and uncommon. Do not ever hide your light. Let is shine, and embrace the possibilities.”
The presentation of certificates followed, after which the Principal, Mrs. Rita Celestine-Carty, made her congratulatory remarks: “Class of 2020, you have now completed five years of secondary school, with the last three being under some strenuous circumstances. You were the first class to be at the much reduced space at Campus A following Hurricane Irma. As Form Three, then, you were all alone without the company of Form Four and Five. A system of weekly assemblies was set in place to keep you focused.
“You would repeat the VIBES, and would be led in the affirmation of the Virtues. But at times confusion would break out among you. You had us scratching our heads, wondering what should be done next to help you to behave well. We had uncovered unresolved, but hopefully not ‘unresolvable’, personal issues and we tried every way to help.
“Although your fourth year unfolded relatively smoothly, in year five everything resurfaced, and we were at it again. Problems that no one would imagine schoolchildren to face were yours, and we tried to help you to navigate through them. Class of 2020, you stretched us until we thought that there would be no more elasticity left. But we processed; we pivoted; we persisted.
“When school moved online after COVID-19 stepped in, Form 5 was a priority for many. When school reopened physically in May, again Form 5 was a priority. Many of you had teachers and administrators hunt you down to submit your SBAs, and complete practical activities so that you would not be considered ungradable after five years of secondary schooling. We thought this untenable, and we tried hard to prevent it. Class of 2020, we cannot allow you not to be mindful of these things as you sit here celebrating today.”
After setting this stage of adversity, and explaining more of the struggles that the class and its teachers experienced, Mrs. Carty affirmed, nonetheless: “This cohort has registered a record number of top achievers, as it is visibly displayed on the front page of The Anguillian newspaper of October 16th. So many of you are also eager to move on to achieve more. While I congratulate you, I say thanks to the teachers, of course. Indeed, a spirit of gratitude should overwhelm all of us at this time, as we praise and thanks almighty God for His favour in the endeavour to bring this year group to graduation day. It certainly was not easy.
“I must let you know that we admire your creativity, your fearlessness, your vigour and vitality, your talents, your energy, your assertiveness and optimism, and your wit. And, of course, we cannot forget the willing diligent and enthusiastic students; the helpful, friendly and good-natured students. That is indeed the majority. You partnered well with your teachers. I commend and congratulate all of you.”
The next speaker was graduate Nandi Edwards, who gave a Farewell Address. In part, she observed: “It is a humbling honour to have the privilege of saying this farewell to the ALHCS, and the graduating Class of 2020. If we were to use only one word to describe our high school experience, I would go with ‘interesting’.
Our first two years were the most carefree. Coming out of primary school, we enjoyed new-found freedoms. We were on the precipice of what we thought was our typical high school journey. However, as we were about to enter Third Form, September 6th 2017 had different plans as Hurricane Irma struck. It would be a day none of us would forget.
“After this date, we had some new words: ‘morning shift’, ‘afternoon shift’, and the ‘hole’. It was our daily reality. We had to acclimatise to our new learning environment — to adjust to the conditions. The shift system was not only a shift in our schedule but also a shift in our mindset.
“It truly does take a village, and we could not have reached this great milestone without the unwavering guidance and support from others. We would first like to thank God for his guidance. Without Him, we would not have been able to make it to this momentous occasion.
Edwards
“We also extend profound appreciation to our parents and loved ones. They have grounded us with support, values, and the love that caused us to thrive. In addition, we say thanks to our Head of Year, Ms. Michelle Queeley, for her guidance over these past three years. We also thank our former Head of Year, Ms. Sarah Francis, for her strong commitment to our development at Campus B. Thanks to all the hardworking Principals, Vice Principals and the dedicated Administration.
“Today, we are capable of embracing all possibilities through our renewed vision for the future. Our theme is powerful. It calls us to be reflective, empowered, motivated and hopeful. The balmy winds of change are upon us, graduates. We cannot emerge from this shelter of high school with a weak mindset. We must adapt and embrace the new possibilities with a renewed vision for our future.”
In closing, the School Choir sang “Just Believe”, and the Vote of Thanks was given by graduate Diomedes Rijo Morris.
The Anguillian wishes to heartily congratulate all of the graduates, their teachers and their parents.
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
