Faculty and staff of the St Martin Secondary School (SMSS) bade farewell to 28 students whose journey at the learning institution came to an end.
Celebrated under the theme, “One book closes, another opens; our story is anchored on the foundation of the last,” the graduation ceremony on June 9, 2021, saw the students, staff, parents, Ministry of Education Officials and well-wishers, gathered at the St Gerald Chapel to witness the send-off.
Featured speaker at the ceremony, civil and environmental engineer, and entrepreneur, Jodie Dublin-Dangleben, delivered and hopeful and inspiring message to the graduates.
In her address, Dublin-Dangleben appealed to the students to not only take their graduation theme at surface level but to make it applicable in their journey ahead.
“So here you are, at the final chapter of an indeed great book. Today, you will say goodbye to everything that was familiar and comfortable…there’s a saying that the physical world always tends toward chaos. And life really has a real funny way of reminding you that you are not in control. Just when things could not be any better, when you are high off happiness in a flick of a page, your entire world cannot turn upside down. And this is the reality of life, it is such that you will see this theme repeating throughout your life.”
Quoting jazz great, Miles Davis, “Once you hit a wrong note, it’s the next note that makes it good or bad,” Dublin-Dangleben told the young ladies that they should not fear mistakes but learn and move forward from them, whilst impressing on them the importance of staying “awake” and be opened to new experiences
“Be aware though that not every plan you write will always work. Accept that fact from now, sometimes there are losses and failures, sometimes there are problems in relationships with classmates, coworkers, and at times you will have to face very unpleasant situations. Sometimes everything you try may fail, and that’s alright,” she said.
The entrepreneur added, “If you have the mindset that whatever you do, you do to the best of your ability, and that your failures are only stepping stones to greater feats, and you set your mind to seize moments, pulling out all the stops and making things happen, you will always move forward. But it’s all about believing in yourself first, that you are destined for more than whatever the close chapter before you tells you.”
“The power lies in your hands,” she stated to the teenagers, “You have the power to change your family’s status, your community, Dominica and the world one page at a time.”
Meantime, 16-year-old Darna Eugene who walked away with 16 of 33 awards was this year’s SMSS valedictorian.
Among her accolades were; the Sister Georgina Deville Award for Home Economics, Merit Recognition Award, the Victor Joseph Award for Public Spirit, Cecilia Joseph Memorial Award for Caring, Albert Mende’s Memorial Award for Creative Arts and the Principal’s Award.
Eugene who hails from the community of Grand Bay in her valedictory address, stated, the graduation theme is fitting considering the obstacles faced during their high school journey.
“I have always heard adults say that High School is such a small part of our lives and so we should enjoy these years because they will be some of the best we will ever have. I know that five to six years are not much compared to a lifetime, but when the five years have been filled with as much good moments as this will, how can anyone forget? I know but I can’t.”
Eugene challenged her peers to apply the principles and teaching they gained at SMSS in their everyday lives moving forward.
“Whatever you’re doing, remember not to let the world make you feel you need to look or speak a certain way to be brilliant, to not let the negativity of people projecting their self-doubt on you, deter you from your focus, respect is everything. There is no successful person, nor a successful movement if the basic principle is not respect. The word will respect you as long as you respect yourself, fellow graduates.”
She continued, “I want you to know what a great deal it is to be prepared as we are here. We have had a high degree of academic excellence and whether you intend to continue your education or not, you will benefit from what you have learned here and put into practice everything that was learned during religion classes. When God shows you the way you will not need to see the whole staircase, sometimes all you need is a giant leap of faith to get started, then you’re way ahead we’ll keep unfolding. Do not let limiting beliefs or overwhelming excuses stop you from where you are destined to be.”
Eugene who expressed confidence in sitting this year’s CXC examination said she intends to continue her studies at the Dominica State College then followed by a University in Cuba as she hopes to become a cosmetology and plastic surgeon.
SMSS Principal, Andra Christian commended the graduates on how they managed to face and adjust to all the obstacles such as, tropical storm Erica in 2015 to hurricane Maria in 2017 and now Covid-19, and encouraged them to use their experiences as fuel for their further endeavors.
The other awardees at the ceremony were, Shernelle Carlise who walked away with six academic awards as well as the Essence Award for Strength of Character, Annastasia Moses who copped the Jays Ltd Award for Discipline; the Rotary Shield for Punctuality & Regularity went to Bethany Morris whilst the Julia Douglas Award for Sports and the Award for Helpfulness was presented to Precious Durand.
Raven Robin, Tyra Francis and Ajaya Registe were also awarded for their academic performance in certain subjects.
It’s a Big shame for a top School like Convent High to avoid the children from having a physical graduation.. the students are indeed hurt and disappointed that they cannot be among their friends after five long years
Congrats to you all
only 28 girls? what happen to the rest? only one class that graduating?