The afternoon of July 2nd saw the graduation of some 38 Grade 6 students of the Adrian T. Hazell Primary School in South Hill. It was the fourth in the series of primary school graduations for the season, as the proud graduands marched down the aisle of the Christian Fellowship Church to the usual pomp and ceremony. The church was packed to capacity; and the graduands relished their theme “The Journey Ahead, Fueled by Courage and Dreams”.
The national song was played on electric guitar by graduand Ahrius James, and the school song rendered by all the graduating students. A fervent prayer was offered by Pastor Howard Simon of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and a warm welcome was given by the Salutatorian, Yeikis Hodge Trejos.
“Welcome to the graduation ceremony of the Adrian T. Hazell Primary School’s Class of 2025,” Yeikis said. “Thank you all for being here to celebrate this special moment with us. It means so much to us. I am truly honoured to stand here today as the Salutatorian of the amazing Class of 2025.
“To my fellow graduates, I can say that we have had some ups and downs, but through it all we stuck together…We always found a way to support each other and we have succeeded to be here today.”
The Moderator was Director of Tourism, Mr. Jameel Rochester and he was introduced by graduand Sakura Davis.
The Salutatorian, Yeikis Hodge Trejos and her colleague, Jenny Chen presented an amazing musical piece on violins. They were accompanied by local violinist, the renowned Heidi Shaw.
The Keynote Address was delivered by the Honorable Minister of Infrastructure, Communication, Utilities, E-Government and IT, Mr. Jose Vanterpool. His main focus was to get a commitment from the graduands for staying on the straight and narrow as they make their transition to the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School.
‘“The Journey Ahead, Fueled by Courage and Dreams’ is not just a slogan,” he noted. “You should consider it as a declaration. The road that you are about to walk on should not be one of fear nor confusion, but one powered by boldness and by belief – powered by your courage and by your dreams. You may not see it as yet, but the fact is that the world is watching you, and we are watching you…We need you to have the power to lead and to help shape the world around you.”
“But we live in a time when violence, whether it be in videos, games, or pranks, the fact is that we are faced with social media challenges that are very prevalent. And often this kind of violence is dressed up as ‘entertainment’. But in reality, life is not a game. And if there is one thing I want you to take away from this address, it is that real life is no game.”
“You don’t have an extra life. It just takes one wrong act in one wrong moment, and in that moment all the good that you have ahead of you can change for the worst. So I am challenging you all today to be that generation – that graduating class that says, ‘not me.’” The Minister repeatedly endeavoured to gain the graduands’ serious commitment that they won’t be swayed to partake in wrongdoing – that they won’t be the ones who would be condoning or promoting traits of violence.
Following the Keynote address, Certificates and numerous special awards were issued. Special gifts were also presented to high achievers.
In his Valedictorian speech, Auraun Lawrence presented an interesting and intriguing description of his six-year journey that landed him into Grade Six. He outlined the academic and athletic achievements that he attained, and he gave a synopsis of his journey that led to the point of his graduation.
“I did not want to go to primary school, and I still don’t want to go,” he jovially declared. “But after a rough start, I was able to endure six years of primary school. In Grade Six, school became stressful, but I am thankful to all of our teachers for trying to make our work enjoyable.” He then invited his teachers to stand in order that he could duly recognize them. “These also represent every teacher, coach, and staff member who have been unable to be present today,” he pointed out. He then requested the audience to applaud his teachers.
Auraun encouraged his classmates to dream big. He told them of his plan to invest in an interesting profitable venture: “I want to encourage you to dream big, my friends. Right now I am negotiating the purchase of a building from which I would operate an Air-bnb. An ideal price for me would be US$100,000, but the owner and I still have to negotiate and settle on an agreeable price. I am not sure if we will ever come to an agreement,” he pondered, “but at least I am trying, and that is important.”
“I know the value of a dream,” he said. “A dream has led me to publish my first book, and a dream has led me to start a donut business, thanks to the support of my family who believes in me.”
He then invited all the parents present to stand. “We could not have made it here with you,” he said. “To all you parents, I am sure that you did your best to motivate your children just as my parents motivated me. I am grateful to my parents for encouraging me, and I took advantage of the opportunities which they presented to me.” “Thanks parents for being there for us,” he gratefully reflected.
A befitting graduation song entitled “The Journey Ahead” was lustily sung by the graduates, followed by the Vote of thanks by Jenny Chen. The Class of 2025 was then presented by Ms. Karen Richardson; and the graduates cheerfully danced down the aisle to the recessional “I Believe I Can” by Yolanda Adams’.
