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In any teenager’s life, finishing highschool and going off to college is a huge event. But it was much more significant for the 28 students that became Class of 2009 of the Hogar del Niño’s very first highschool graduation. The commencement act took place in the theatre at the Club de la Costa in Central Romana, and it was a specially joyous ceremony for Xiomara Menéndez, founder of the Patronato Benéfico Oriental, a non for profit organization that supports the Hogar’s nursery, kindergarten, preschool, middle school and now the complete highshool, as well as a library top-filled with children’s books and a well-equipped dental office.
It was Mrs. Menéndez who gave the students a motivational speech, encouraging them to always follow their dreams and wishing them all the success in the upcoming years as future professionals. Afterwards a brief historic reference of the Hogar del Niño was introduced by honor student Miledys De León, who highlighted the Patronato’s numerous contributions in over 33 years on behalf of the impoverished childhood community in La Romana.
After the whole class received their diplomas, a selective group of seven students were honored by being granted full university scholarships due to their excellent academic efforts and achievements throughout their highschool years. One of them in particular, Maikel Jesús Sterling, arrived as a three month old baby at the Hogar del Niño’s crib room. Today he is a young man set out for a college career.
For the grand finale the students gathered up as a chorus and sang “I believe I can fly”, accompanied by music teacher Jorge Bonilla at the piano. The song is a tribute to themselves as a valuable lesson that anything is possible in life, whenever we have the will and desire to fight for it, no matter the obstacles that challenge our way.
Article and photos graciously contributed
by Jorge Sturla