September 17, 2021 | St. John’s, Antigua | Sherry-Ann Henry
Amidst the uncertainty of a global pandemic and all its repercussions, the Antigua Seventh-day Adventist Primary School was privileged and pleased to host its Class of 2021 Graduation Ceremony. The ceremony was both live and virtual at the Seventh-day Adventist Church - Tindall Temple on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. The program was attended by the 54 graduates (6 in absentia or watching virtually on live stream) along with two parents or guests per graduate and a handful of participants in adherence of the protocols.
The processional was grand with the students marching in single file in their regal, burgundy-colored gowns, and gold-colored stoles to the traditional graduation tune of “Pomp and Circumstance”. After the National Anthem and opening hymn, prayer and welcome were offered by Pastor Kay White, Personal Ministries director of the South Leeward Conference. Then the principal, Mr. Robert Nicholas, gave his annual report. He highlighted that in the face of the new normal, the school was still able to register success in reaching its students through various technologies and learning platforms foremost of which was Google Classroom. The report was both a testimony and a token of praise to God for His mercies and grace through a challenging school year.
Miss Leslie-Ann Mills, an honored past student, was the chosen keynote speaker for the graduation exercises. She admonished and encouraged the students based on their selected class theme: “In God’s Eyes We are Royalty”. Her address identified three principles to guide the students in their future academic pursuits: Firstly, “God has a plan for your life.” Secondly, “As royalty (sons and daughters of God) you are engineered for success.” Thirdly, “Nothing is impossible to him who tries.”
The valedictorian, Miss Nikyra Nanton, recounted in her speech the years the graduating class spent at the school. Highlighting events and teachers that made significant impacts on their academic life from Kindergarten through Grade 6, she thanked students, parents and teachers for making the experience what it was.
Then came the distribution of certificates and awards by the class teachers, Mrs. Sherry-Ann Henry and Mrs. Jannel Johnson. A few students stood out among the others with their academic achievements: valedictorian, Nikyra Nanton; salutatorian, Summer Christian; 3rd place cumulative student, Draeden Gibbs; and the school’s top student in the Grade 6 National Assessment 2021, Clarissa Campbell. Congratulations were extended by the Education director of the South Leeward Conference, Dr. Eulalie Daley-Semper, who also gave the honored directions for the students to turn their tassels.
In closing, the students joined their voices one final time to sing their class song “Chosen”. Following the class song, a prayer of thanks and blessing was offered by the school chaplain, Pastor Cindie Lee. After which, the graduands marched out to the recessional tune “Chariots of Fire”, officially ending the primary school chapter of their educational journey. Congratulations, Class of 2021. Go with God!