The St. Croix Central High School 2022 Graduating Class. By. REEMY-REEMZ PHOTOGRAPHY/VICONSORTIUM
"Since we are the first high school to set off the graduation [season], let's set it off right" were the words of Yves Abraham, principal of the St. Croix Central High School, who in return received a roar of excitement from the 158 CHS graduates on Tuesday.
The students called themselves the "Momentous, Versatile and Prestigious” Class of 2022, a fitting name for a group of teenagers who were in the tenth grade when the Covid-19 pandemic impacted the world and scrambled their learning experience.
Even so, the class collectively received $2.9 million in scholarships — outperforming the pre-pandemic haul of $2.8 million that the class of 2019 earned.
As they lined up outside of the high school's Sprung Gymnasium built after Hurricane Maria, the seemingly unending line of graduates appeared ready to move on to the next chapter of their lives, grateful for having completed high school through some of the most challenging circumstances.
“The task ahead will require time, focus, and the ability to work hard under pressure, but it can be done," said Mr. Abraham, the CHS principal. He compared the MVP class to diamonds having the ability to overcome and shine through the fiercest of obstacles. “Becoming a diamond is not easy, you must be able to endure the pressure and you must be tough," he said. Mr. Abraham admonished the graduates to focus on character, courage and strength.
Graduates of the Central High School on St. Croix pose for a picture while heading to the school's Sprung Gymnasium on Tues. May 17, 2022. (Credit: Ernice Gilbert, VIC)
Ericilda Ottley-Herman, acting insular superintendent reminded students of their remarkable achievements. “In four years you've gained more than a high school diploma. You’ve gained the ability to motivate, to innovate, to be flexible, because when a physical door closes, a virtual one may open," she said.
Dept. of Education Commissioner, Racquel Berry-Benjamin, used the lyrics of a song from international Reggae artist and Virgin Islander, Pressure Busspipe, who also graduated from a public high school, to convey her message. The lyrics of the song, Light in You, says, "There's a light inside of you, shinning shinning through, let your works be clean and true, bad influence be mindful of."
“My message to graduates this year is a musical tribute," the commissioner said, later adding, “you know Caribs does always set the standard for graduations, and let me say, I am impressed. I expected nothing less.”
Having made it through the pandemic, Governor Albert Bryan said the students are equipped to face future challenges. “You know about change and about adversity, you are prepared to take on the world," he said. Mr. Bryan emphasized the uniqueness of home, and told the students that there is no other jurisdiction in the United States where the governor, Senate president, the chief justice, and commissioner of education come to a graduation.
Keynote speaker, Superior Court Judge Harold Willocks encouraged the graduates to be proud of themselves. “When you look in the mirror you can say, regardless of your occupation, you can look at yourself and say I am the best that I can be.”
He added, “Regardless of where your journey takes you, think about home. Think about what you can do to come back to the Virgin Islands to improve on it.”
Class Valedictorian Jasmine Cox encouraged her fellow graduates to live in the moment. “I want you to take comfort in the moment right here," she said, "where you are surrounded by over a hundred other people who understand you, who relate to you — to know that in this moment you are not alone."
The St. Croix Educational Complex will hold its graduation event today, followed by the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School on Thursday, and Charlotte Amalie on Friday.
