Wednesday, 29th June, saw the fifth in a series of six public primary school graduations, when Adrian T. Hazell’s Class of 2022, consisting of 43 graduands, was honoured. Like all other primary school graduates, they completed one chapter of their learning to enter a new phase of education at the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School, come September.
At the ATHPS auditorium, under the theme “Defying Odds: Authors of Our Destiny”, the graduating Class made its way along the aisle in a stunning procession to the sound of “pomp and circumstance.
Chairperson, Ms. Amethyst Davis, introduced the graduands who sang the National Song as well as the School Song. Prayer was then offered by Mrs. Ionie Harris. Following were brief remarks from the Principal, Ms. Tiffany Thomas, who welcomed the audience.
The keynote address was delivered by Teacher Dawvier Gumbs. She said to the graduands: “I don’t mean to bore you, but I must give you some important tips.” She asked them to repeat their theme, and then told them that they must be commended for persevering through their difficult challenges faced in recent years at the school. She advised them that, in order to be the author of their own destiny, they must apply the same elements that they learned in the classroom for storytelling analyses such as the title, the characters, the setting, climax, problem and the solution. “These are the same key elements that you would use in the next chapter that you are about to write in your education process. A knowledge of these elements will play a vital role throughout your years at the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School.
“You are acquainted with some key elements that would be needed to write this new chapter of your destiny. You are the authors. And when writing the story of your lives, do not allow anyone else to hold your pen.”
While the graduands were presented with their certificate, many of them received special awards for their outstanding achievements from sponsoring entities and caring members of the community. Such awards included: the Kendal Richardson Award; the Teacher Bertha Franklin Award; the Teacher Rhonda Connor Award; the Perin Bradley Award; the Teacher Maycelle Roberts Award; the E. Silwood Connor Award; the Mr. & Mrs. Hubert Hughes Award; the Delta Extra Mile Award; the Curtis Richardson Award; the ICT Award; the Cynthia Hazell Dore Award; the Rosanna Browne Award; the trevor Davis Award; and the Principal’s Award. Many other academic awards were issued.
The Valedictorian was Kyshaun Connor. His speech was an impressive one. “These past two years have been quite challenging,” he said. “We have adapted to a new way of life at school, but the most important thing is that we continue to persevere…”
Alluding to the graduation theme, he stated: “We must defy the odds. The definition of odds is the probability that one thing is so, or that it will happen rather than another thing. For me, defying the odds means not being defined by a situation that may seem to be difficult or impossible…We must become authors of our own destiny to pursue our passions and dreams.”
Throughout the rest of his speech, Kyshaun spoke concerning his faith in God, and expressed the fact that God alone can provide the guidance toward a destiny of true success.
Toward the end of the ceremony, the graduates sang the song “Unwritten” by Natasha. The Vote of thanks was delivered by the Salutatorian, J’Szae Hughes-Gumbs, after which the tassels were turned and the graduating class was presented to the audience by Teacher Avecia Webster.
