November 26, 2021 | St. John’s, Antigua | Leondra Tittle, Renata Joseph & Michelle George
In what was a much-anticipated event, the 2021 graduating class of the Antigua Seventh-day Adventist Secondary School, finally had their memorable commencement service on Sunday, November 14, 2021. The ceremony was held at the St. John’s Seventh-day Adventist Church under the theme “In God’s Hands, All Things Are Possible”. The 2021 graduating class comprised 39 graduands who had worked diligently for the past five years to complete their secondary school education. These students faced many challenges along the way, especially the setbacks and disruptions to school brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as their theme would have suggested, trusting in God, they were able to triumph.
The event began with the academic processional of platform personnel and staff leading the way. They followed by the graduating class, decked in their royal blue gowns and golden stoles. The national anthem and opening songs were raised by Mrs. Estherlyn Foster, teacher, and the invocation was done by Dr. Wayne Knowles, executive secretary of the South Leeward Conference (SLC). The scripture reading, the graduation text, was read by graduand, Zaiyan Simon. Everyone was warmly welcomed by Mrs. Michelle George, teacher, before the principal’s report was presented for the last time by now retired principal, Mrs. Cheryl Morris. Mrs. Morris served the school for 46 unbroken years, and though she received an outpouring of gratitude earlier in June by staff and students, she was once again showered with gifts and a surprise presentation from the class of 1994 as a final display of appreciation.
Due to circumstances influenced by the pandemic, the commencement speech was done virtually by Mrs. Gerene Joseph, education director of the North Caribbean Conference and she was ably introduced by Dr. Eulalie Semper, education director of SLC. Though her speech was pre-recorded, the effect and timeliness of her encouraging words rang clear in the room as though she were present. In her speech, Mrs. Joseph charged the graduands to consider “The Big Five for Graduates” - being optimistic, being healthy, being altruistic, being a person of integrity, and trusting in God.
The feature address gave way to the long-awaited introduction of the valedictorian, graduand Gabrielle Joseph, whose speech was filled with nostalgic memories of times shared with her classmates and lessons learned at the institution. Following this well-presented response, were the presentation of candidates and certificates. This was done by the school’s counsellor, Ms. Renata Joseph, ably assisted by Dr. Eulalie Semper and Dr. Wayne Knowles. When the carefully coordinated collection of certificates had ended, everyone eagerly awaited the announcement of the valedictorian and salutatorian awards to be presented by Dr. Wayne Knowles. Valedictorian, Gabrielle Joseph, received her monetary award for Bible and mathematics and salutatorian KayDee Doyle received the award for English.
To bring this momentous event to a close, congratulatory remarks were given by Pastor Frederick Alfred, chairman of the Antigua Seventh-day Adventist School Board. Special virtual remarks were given by Dr. Carson Greene, president of SLC and a tastefully presented vote of thanks was given by salutatorian, KayDee Doyle. The benediction was offered by Pastor Cindie Lee, school chaplin. May God continue to bless and guide the graduating class of 2021.