As Colegio Saint John in La Romana concluded its 20th year in existence, a special graduation ceremony was celebrated in Casa de Campo with the participation of a diverse group of 25 young adults from Belgium, Norway, the United States and of course the Dominican Republic.
The graduation ceremony began at 7:30 P.M. at Casa de Campo’s Flamboyant Conference Center, where Mirtha de Marchena called the students one by one to the stage. The beginning of an emotional evening.
Surrounded by their teachers, family and close friends the students and more than 400 guests enjoyed a delightful ceremony, lead by the masters of ceremony Ernesto Villeta, Shantel Maria, Jeanne Marie Morales and Jessika Santana.
Beautiful speeches throughout the night in Spanish, English and French where delivered by various students of the graduating class. As always, two of these students had the privilege of delivering the valedictorian speeches, Oliver Hunt in English and Shadelenee Bell in Spanish.
When asked about her experience at the graduation, this is what valedictorian Shadelenee had to say ¨Joy, hope, nostalgia, a cocktail of emotions invaded my body; images from my first school days up until the last ones were running through my mind, like a movie. A unforgetable memory that will stay with me forever.¨
As well as the valedictorian speeches, headmistress Hilda Alvarez de Geraldino gave a heartfelt speech, giving advice to each and every one of their students about what is to come.
¨It is not only being the best in the world, but being the best for the world¨ headmistress Mrs. Alvarez de Geraldino told the graduates.
As is the Colegio Saint John tradition, two proud parents were invited on stage to give a bit of advice to the students, George Bell and Melida Santana, Shadelenee Bell´s parents, delivered a short speech of heartfelt advice on what it is to strive as young adults and how hard it will be from now on, not having their parents around for everything, reminding them that not everything they have they should take for granted.
Towards the end of the evening and the students were about to receive their diplomas, they surprised their teachers and headmistress with honorary plaques. When they finished doing so, Mrs. Hilda Alvarez de Geraldino handed out their high school diplomas.
The students were filled with joy, yet a little sad to leave what they had considered their second. Most having studied at the Colegio Saint John, for over 10 years, while others had actually studied for a full 16 years at the institution, which is why the feeling of graduating was a little bittersweet!
This article and photos were contributed to Juan Oscar Geraldino, manager of communications and public relations at the Colegio Saint John.
[Juan Oscar Geraldino is pictured right with Sofia and Alexandra Papadopoulos.]
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