On Friday June 15th 2012, 28 young adults graduated from the Abraham Lincoln School, the majority of whom had been students at the school for the last 14 years. This very special occasion was celebrated with a formal graduation ceremony at Casa de Campo’s Flamboyan conference centre, marking not only a great milestone in the lives of the students, but also for the school, who on this occasion was celebrating it’s 30th graduation in it’s proud history!
In this post, the 2nd about the Abraham Lincoln School graduation ceremony 2012 we bring you the professional photographs of the event, taken by Bryan de la Cruz, as well as more memories and messages from and to the graduating class. [Please click here to read Part 1 ]
The school choir performed at the graduation ceremony
During the graduation ceremony Headmaster at the Abraham Lincoln School, Mr. Harry Magee praised the graduating class for the high academic levels reached by them over the past 4 years, of the 28 graduating students, 19 achieved a G.P.A score of over 3.0, of which 9 graduated with impressive G.P.A’s of above 3.5!
One of the most outstanding G.P.A scores of the class of 2012 was 3.91, belonging to Michael Santana who was chosen as this year’s salutatorian student and who is the son of Mrs. Sharon Santana, French Teacher at the Abraham Lincoln School and organizer of numerous graduation ceremonies.
Whilst Maria José López, the valedictorian student, who recently won the Regional Science Olympics competition, graduated with an excellent score of 3.97 in her final year. Maria, who is the daughter of Jeanette Sanchez Lopez, Casa de Campo Vice-President of Sales and Marketing and Dr. José Lopez Larache, the Health Vice President of Central Romana and Director of the new Centro Médico, although undecided on her future career will not doubt be very successful; “My parents are a great inspiration to me. Becoming a doctor has definitely crossed my mind, but I have decided to go to college with an open mind.” A very wise decision Maria!
As the salutatorian and valedictorian students, Michael and Maria addressed their classmates, friends and family during the graduation ceremony with 2 inspirational speeches; Michael’s humorous and original was recited in Spanish, whilst Maria’s, read in English was more traditional, but equally excellent.
Also offering inspirational words of wisdom, was the school’s proud headmaster, Mr. Harry Magee:
“When you leave here tonight you will have one thing that no one else has. You will be the only person in the world who has complete control of your life, not just now, tomorrow or the next day, but for your entire life. What you do or do not do will be the factor that makes the difference in your life. By controlling your own life you are the one who chooses to continue to learn, to remain flexible and responsive and to be resilient when faced by failures and disappointments. In these ways you will be making a commitment to excellence, developing strong character and serving your community. Today, the day of your graduation is a good time to begin taking charge of your life.”
As the ceremony drew to a close, Director of the Abraham Lincoln School board, Dr. Leonardo Matos García handed out the graduation diplomas to the graduating class.
Dr. Leo Matos presents the graduation diploma to his daughter Eva
Following the ceremony, the Abraham Lincoln School graduating class of 2012 filed proudly out of the conference hall and made their first steps as graduates to begin the rest of their lives.
Good luck – may your future bring you happiness and success!
“We wish the very best to the ALS Graduating Class of 2012. As you go out into the world to answer your calling in life heed the following advice given by a true Master: ‘Every response you make is determined by what you think you are, and what you want to be is what you think you are. What you want to be then, must determine every response you make. So the power is within each and every one of us to achieve our goals and be the men and women we want to be.”
— Jeannette Sánchez-López, Casa de Campo Vice-President of Sales and Marketing and mother of graduate María José López
“Graduation was very surreal to me. I can’t believe I won’t be going back to ALS next september and see my classmates everyday. I feel as though our family will be separated- but I know exciting things lie ahead for all of us. I have waited for this moment for quite a while, I feel accomplished. The party was fantastic, it was great to be able to share our graduation night with everyone in such an iconic location. The music, the decoration and the vibe were incredible!”
— Maria José Lopez
“I’m really going to miss everyone and how easy it is here but as Maria Lopez said in her valedictorian speech: It is time for us to leave the safe harbor and set sail.”
— Andrea Brenes, Abraham Lincoln School graduating class of 2012
“As a happy and grateful mother, it is impossible to select just a few words to describe my feelings of pride and satisfaction. To tighten my heart will not be an easy task…..to see my daughter, Andrea, who just yesterday was a tiny premature baby of just 3 pounds, who I sheltered and protected in my arms, make her way in the world with secure and confident steps, meeting goals and forging her own future is the best reward any mother can hope for.On the night of the 15th of June we came together as a big family to witness the graduation of our treasures, proudly wearing their robes. The words of Mr. Magee and the Bishop de la Rosa brought tears to our eyes as they gave valuable advice for the graduates’ futures. It was a very emotional night, filled with unforgettable memories, when joy was the overwhelming emotion and the eyes of the graduates shone with satisfaction, shared experiences and success….the beginning of many dreams to come….Blessings and success to all the graduates on this great step in their lives!”
— Erika Villain, very proud mother of Andrea Brenes
[Photo courtesy of Bryan de la Cruz.]
“I’m just glad to have those kinds of friends, who received me with their arms open after I left for two years and almost lose their contact. These are the friends I will remember forever although we had fights, they were next to you in the worst moment…luckily I sent my application for the university at the beginning of the year and I’m proud to say that I received two scholarships: one at FIT at Melbourne, Florida and the second one at Roger Williams University at Providence, Rhode Island (which is the one I’m planning to attend next fall). To the teachers I wish them all of the best specially for those who are leaving, and to those who won’t I will see you soon!! I’m very pleased on how they took their time to teach this tough group but eventually lead us to achieve our graduation.
I have no words for my family, those who travel from far away and left behind everything they were doing just to attend the graduation and even to my parents and my sister who gave me support all through my school year and my life. I love them all, they are so special.”
— Juan Manuel Hernandez (son of Daniel Hernandez – General Manager at Casa de Campo), Abraham Lincoln School graduating class of 2012
“I’m off to the UCE in San Pedro to become a doctor! I would like to tell my family that I love them and thank them for the support they gave me and will always give me! To my friends, thanks to them for being there with me in the goods and bads and they were like a family to me .. or they are part of my family I should say! And to the teachers thanks for everything, thanks for sharing their knowledge with me and make me the person I am now!”
— Frabel Hernández, Abraham Lincoln School graduating class of 2012
“I was form teacher to 12C for seven years and it was a pleasure to deal with such a great group of students. I have seen them develop into very impressive young adults and I was extremely proud of all of them at the graduation ceremony. I wish them every success in the future and I look forward to following their progress through college and beyond.”
— Ms. Rose Crowley, English teacher at the Abraham Lincoln School
“It felt great to finally finish one step of my life, I’m anxious to find out the new adventures and challenges life will bring me. To my family/friends/teachers, thanks for their support, strength, orientation and love that each of them gave me – through which I acquired determination, responsibility, values and morals, the perfect base to confront the obstacles life will put me.”
— Johana Ditren, Abraham Lincoln School graduating class of 2012
“It was very exciting and emotional. I feel like I finally completed my cycle in school. I will study touristic business administration. My friends/family/teachers – I love them all. Thanks to all of them!”
— Eric Rodriguez, Abraham Lincoln School graduating class of 2012
Sorry Bianca – this photo is too funny not to include!
The following photos were taken during the Abraham Lincoln School Graduation 2012 at the Casa de Campo Flamboyan Conference Center:
Following the ceremony the graduating class celebrated with friends and family at the “Genesis Flashback” in Altos de Chavón – CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS!
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The Abraham Lincoln School, located within Central Romana, in the town of La Romana, is a private school for the children of employees of the Central Romana Corporation, but is also attended by other children who pay yearly tuition fees.
Spanish
On Friday June 15th 2012, 28 young adults graduated from the Abraham Lincoln School, the majority of whom had been students at the school for the last 14 years. This very special occasion was celebrated with a formal graduation ceremony at Casa de Campo’s Flamboyan conference centre, marking not only a great milestone in the lives of the students, but also for the school, who on this occasion was celebrating it’s 30th graduation in it’s proud history!
In this post, the 2nd about the Abraham Lincoln School graduation ceremony 2012 we bring you the professional photographs of the event, taken by Bryan de la Cruz, as well as more memories and messages from and to the graduating class. [Please click here to read Part 1 ]
Whilst Maria José López, the valedictorian student, who recently won the Regional Science Olympics competition, graduated with an excellent score of 3.97 in her final year. Maria, who is the daughter of Jeanette Sanchez Lopez, Casa de Campo Vice-President of Sales and Marketing and Dr. José Lopez Larache, the Health Vice President of Central Romana and Director of the new Centro Médico, although undecided on her future career will not doubt be very successful; “My parents are a great inspiration to me. Becoming a doctor has definitely crossed my mind, but I have decided to go to college with an open mind.” A very wise decision Maria!
As the salutatorian and valedictorian students, Michael and Maria addressed their classmates, friends and family during the graduation ceremony with 2 inspirational speeches; Michael’s humorous and original was recited in Spanish, whilst Maria’s, read in English was more traditional, but equally excellent.
Also offering inspirational words of wisdom, was the school’s proud headmaster, Mr. Harry Magee:
“When you leave here tonight you will have one thing that no one else has. You will be the only person in the world who has complete control of your life, not just now, tomorrow or the next day, but for your entire life. What you do or do not do will be the factor that makes the difference in your life. By controlling your own life you are the one who chooses to continue to learn, to remain flexible and responsive and to be resilient when faced by failures and disappointments. In these ways you will be making a commitment to excellence, developing strong character and serving your community. Today, the day of your graduation is a good time to begin taking charge of your life.”
As the ceremony drew to a close, Director of the Abraham Lincoln School board, Dr. Leonardo Matos García handed out the graduation diplomas to the graduating class.
“We wish the very best to the ALS Graduating Class of 2012. As you go out into the world to answer your calling in life heed the following advice given by a true Master: ‘Every response you make is determined by what you think you are, and what you want to be is what you think you are. What you want to be then, must determine every response you make. So the power is within each and every one of us to achieve our goals and be the men and women we want to be.” — Jeannette Sánchez-López, Casa de Campo Vice-President of Sales and Marketing and mother of graduate María José López “Graduation was very surreal to me. I can’t believe I won’t be going back to ALS next september and see my classmates everyday. I feel as though our family will be separated- but I know exciting things lie ahead for all of us. I have waited for this moment for quite a while, I feel accomplished. The party was fantastic, it was great to be able to share our graduation night with everyone in such an iconic location. The music, the decoration and the vibe were incredible!” — Maria José Lopez
“I’m really going to miss everyone and how easy it is here but as Maria Lopez said in her valedictorian speech: It is time for us to leave the safe harbor and set sail.” — Andrea Brenes, Abraham Lincoln School graduating class of 2012 “As a happy and grateful mother, it is impossible to select just a few words to describe my feelings of pride and satisfaction. To tighten my heart will not be an easy task…..to see my daughter, Andrea, who just yesterday was a tiny premature baby of just 3 pounds, who I sheltered and protected in my arms, make her way in the world with secure and confident steps, meeting goals and forging her own future is the best reward any mother can hope for. On the night of the 15th of June we came together as a big family to witness the graduation of our treasures, proudly wearing their robes. The words of Mr. Magee and the Bishop de la Rosa brought tears to our eyes as they gave valuable advice for the graduates’ futures. It was a very emotional night, filled with unforgettable memories, when joy was the overwhelming emotion and the eyes of the graduates shone with satisfaction, shared experiences and success….the beginning of many dreams to come….Blessings and success to all the graduates on this great step in their lives!” — Erika Villain, very proud mother of Andrea Brenes [Photo courtesy of Bryan de la Cruz.]
“I’m just glad to have those kinds of friends, who received me with their arms open after I left for two years and almost lose their contact. These are the friends I will remember forever although we had fights, they were next to you in the worst moment…luckily I sent my application for the university at the beginning of the year and I’m proud to say that I received two scholarships: one at FIT at Melbourne, Florida and the second one at Roger Williams University at Providence, Rhode Island (which is the one I’m planning to attend next fall). To the teachers I wish them all of the best specially for those who are leaving, and to those who won’t I will see you soon!! I’m very pleased on how they took their time to teach this tough group but eventually lead us to achieve our graduation. I have no words for my family, those who travel from far away and left behind everything they were doing just to attend the graduation and even to my parents and my sister who gave me support all through my school year and my life. I love them all, they are so special.” — Juan Manuel Hernandez (son of Daniel Hernandez – General Manager at Casa de Campo), Abraham Lincoln School graduating class of 2012
“I’m off to the UCE in San Pedro to become a doctor! I would like to tell my family that I love them and thank them for the support they gave me and will always give me! To my friends, thanks to them for being there with me in the goods and bads and they were like a family to me .. or they are part of my family I should say! And to the teachers thanks for everything, thanks for sharing their knowledge with me and make me the person I am now!” — Frabel Hernández, Abraham Lincoln School graduating class of 2012
“I was form teacher to 12C for seven years and it was a pleasure to deal with such a great group of students. I have seen them develop into very impressive young adults and I was extremely proud of all of them at the graduation ceremony. I wish them every success in the future and I look forward to following their progress through college and beyond.” — Ms. Rose Crowley, English teacher at the Abraham Lincoln School
“It felt great to finally finish one step of my life, I’m anxious to find out the new adventures and challenges life will bring me. To my family/friends/teachers, thanks for their support, strength, orientation and love that each of them gave me – through which I acquired determination, responsibility, values and morals, the perfect base to confront the obstacles life will put me.” — Johana Ditren, Abraham Lincoln School graduating class of 2012
“It was very exciting and emotional. I feel like I finally completed my cycle in school. I will study touristic business administration. My friends/family/teachers – I love them all. Thanks to all of them!” — Eric Rodriguez, Abraham Lincoln School graduating class of 2012
The following photos were taken during the Abraham Lincoln School Graduation 2012 at the Casa de Campo Flamboyan Conference Center:
