At the graduation and prize-giving ceremony for 12 high school graduates, Paramaribo’s most popular female parliamentarian, Dr Jennifer Simons, received a standing ovation following her keynote address to the gathering of more than 300 students, parents, friends and well wishers who were assembled on Thursday evening at the Torarica Banquet Hall in Paramaribo, Suriname.
Dr. Simons told the graduating class, “What I see in your eyes is expectation. … It’s a new beginning we’re celebrating here.”
“What will matter most in your life, based on my life experience, is your relationships,” she stressed, referring to the three most important types of relationships they would encounter in their lives. First is the relationship with God - the universe. Then there is the important relationship with nature. And third, of equal significance, will be their relationships with others. Dr. Simons told the graduates, “It is your relationship with other people that makes you a person.”
The twelve students received their diplomas marking the successful completion of their secondary education at VWO and HAVO levels. After receiving their diplomas, Valedictorians, Marina Sew-Atjon and Zikomo Mhango, addressed the gathering on behalf of the Class of 2010.
Members of the diplomatic corps, including Ambassador K.J.S Sodhi of India, U.S Ambassador John Nay, were in attendance at the ceremony where about 35 students received prizes for their meritorious performance and successful work during the academic year.
Four of the academy’s graduating class of 2010 scored in the top 5% of students worldwide who took the American College Test (ACT) during the current academic year. The students were Vincent Hilversum with 31, Zikomo Mhango with 30, and Stephan Playfair and Marina Sew – Atjon with 29, respectively.
This was the tenth graduation award ceremony since the AlphaMax Academy started in September 1998.
