As the 2016-2017 school year comes to a close, The Island Academy (TIA) was the first educational institution to hold graduation ceremonies. On Friday, May 26th, TIA celebrated its 22nd commencement exercise, with a total of seven graduating: Tellen Smith, Wyatt Barenfanger, John Greif V, Collin Greif, Skylar Guerrero, Jamilet Garcia, and Alexandra Lausen.
The ceremony was held at the TIA campus, where students, family and friends gathered to celebrate the graduate’s academic achievements. At 10AM, the graduates proudly marched to the sound of Pomp and Circumstance, awaiting their Primary School Diplomas.
Founder of TIA, Lady Dixie Bowen, officially welcomed the audience, and established protocol. Following tradition, Infant One through Standard Five teachers had the opportunity to issue awards to top students in various categories including: remarkable reader, creative writing guru, citizenship, and excellence in academic subjects.
The best segment of the program was saved for last, with all seven graduates delivering their graduation speeches. From heart-felt to comical speeches, the graduates made sure to highlight their challenges, friendships, hard work, and achievements during their time at TIA. Skylar Guerrero even rapped a special song for the audience, detailing her memories at TIA. The speeches shared one thing in common, the gratefulness of the students towards Lady Bowen and their teachers for their unforgettable experience at TIA, as well as the help they received in prepping for secondary education.
Afterwards, Standard Six Teacher, Claire Kennedy, had the honor of issuing certificate awards to the graduates. Tellen Smith received excellence in Mathematics, Science, Social studies, and overall academics. Skylar Guerrero was awarded for Most-Improved, Creativity, and Excellence in Health. While Excellence in Language Arts, and the Young Author Award went to Collin Greif, Wyatt Barenfanger won the Physical Education Award. Lastly, Alexandra Lausen received the Citizenship Award, and Excellence in Spanish Award.
The most prestigious award, The Sir Barry Bowen Cup, was awarded to Alexandra Lausen. The cup is awarded annually by the staff and teachers to a student who is selected as an outstanding representative of high personal standards, humanitarian values, dedication to citizenship and education. Lausen humbly thanked Lady Bowen, her classmates, and her teacher for allowing her to guard the trophy until next year.
Lady Bowen then invited Principal Wilema Gonzales for a few final remarks. Gonzalez thanked the graduates for their perseverance, and wished them the best of luck in the next chapter of their academic journey. The graduates were then called on stage to receive their diplomas, as the audience clapped for them.
The San Pedro Sun joins the entire community in wishing the 2017 TIA graduates all the best in their future academic career.
