Michelle Chow's Valedictorian sppech -AlphaMax Academy Class of 2015

Dr. Merkus, Chair of the AlphaMax Academy Board of Directors, Fellow distinguished board members, Distinguished Guest Speaker Ambassador Subrashini,Other Distinguished Guests, Academy staff, Parents, family, friends, fellow students it is a great honor to speak on behalf of the class of 2015.

First and for most I would like thank God for giving me the opportunity to stand here tonight!

Michelle Chow

For the last two months, we have been counting down to this day. Now we are finally here feeling both excited and nervous. We are finally at the end of this stage of our lives. We are ready for the next stage.

There are times where I think that I was destined to come and study at the academy. It was my mother who convinced me to come to this school. In my first days I felt unsure of my English speaking and writing skills. I was not a fluent speaker. I had to work on my grammar and writing every day in school. It was difficult and not exciting.

Last year I was invited to enter the GAC class, but I personally I did not feel up to the task. Both Mr. Taylor and Mr. Drepaul, however, convinced me that I would do well on the GAC course. And here I am today, valedictorian, speaking on behalf of the GAC class and the Graduating class of 2015. The GAC course has made me and my group confident to face the next level of academic work and to face society and its challenges.

Today I would like to thank all our teachers, parents and family members for supporting and believing in us. To all the teachers who watched and helped us grow, I know we all have caused lots of headaches and maybe even heartaches. I want to thank you all for not giving up on us and for continuing to believe in us.

Michelle Chow 

Mr. Drepaul who is the head of the GAC class did not only teach us but he did also guided and prepared us for our further studies. He likes to sit and talk about life for hours. Many of us were not thrilled by these talks.

There were many times where we did not want to hand in our assignments just because we were lazy. But Mr.Drepaul still stayed with us, so thank you Mr. Drepaul for all your patience and for everything you have done for us. You were always there for us! Thank you!

Mr. Taylor, I really do not know where to start with you! The first year when I came here I was so scared of you. I don’t even know why! When I am at school I think about Mr. Taylor, when I do homework and assignments I think about Mr. Taylor, even at night when I sleep I dream about Mr. Taylor! His name, his voice is engraved in my head.

It is really hard to express my thoughts when it comes to Mr. Taylor! But, after getting to know him better, I realized that he could also as sweet as chocolate! So right now, I am not scared of Mr. Taylor anymore! And guess what, he is my favorite teacher now! He taught us all the important aspects of life. He tried to prepare us for our upcoming battles in college. I’m pretty sure most of the parents know that Mr. Taylor likes to teach overtime. But please understand that it is because he just wants to teach us as much as he can!

So Mr. Taylor, on behalf of the class of 2015 I would like to thank you for your time, effort, and love. You are not only a great principal but also a great teacher!

 Class of 2015, we had a great year! There were bad times and there were good times! We struggled together and we were always there to support each other! Good or bad, I will never forget the experience and memories I’ve had with all of you. Now that we have come to an end we will all have go our own way. It will be difficult for all of us to reunite again after this separation but our memories with each other will stay forever! I am really happy and I really appreciate getting to know each one of you! I love you all and I will really miss you guys! I wish you all the best after this!

Once again, the class of 2015 wants to thank all our teachers and family members! We thank all who have made this wonderful evening possible. We sincerely thank you all from the bottom of our heart!

The GAC program at AlphaMax Academy

My name is Chayenne Crystal Flohr.  I am one of the members of the 2015 AlphaMax Academy graduating class. This year was my 3rd year at AlphaMax. During this year, I got the opportunity to participate in the Global Assessment Certificate (GAC) program which is a preparation program for college and university. I am thankful, blessed, and have no regrets  taking this great opportunity.

Chayenne Flohr

The Global Assessment Certificate program prepares each student for college and university. It provides students from mostly non-English-speaking backgrounds with the knowledge and skills to prepare them for tertiary education. The GAC is accredited in Australia by ACT Education Solutions Ltd. 

All our  the tests and assignments were moderated there. For all subjects assignments and tests need to be done. Then, the tests and assignments will be corrected by a teacher, and then sent to Australia for moderation.

The GAC consists of three levels. Level 1 has six subjects – Academic English 1, Mathematics, Computing, Study Skills, Communication Skills. Level 2 has Academic English, Mathematics, Science, Computing, Business and Social Science.

Students are allowed to choose whether they want to do Social Science or Mathematics in level 2 and Level 3.
Lever 3 has Academic English, Business, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, and Computing.

The GAC class of 2014-2015
This year, eight students have participated in the GAC course of 2015 – Michelle Chow, Angelique Doorson, Chayenne Flohr, Jamiel Habieb, Joy Jones, Daniel Kolf, Alain Soekhlal & Tianshu Zhang. During this last year, the eight of us became so close with each other. We became one big team, including our instructor, Mr. Milton Drepaul, and our other teachers like Mr. Leroy Marshall, Mr. Emile Krak, Mrs. Sharon Hoppie and Mr. Sean Taylor.

GAC 2015 AlphaMax Academy

In order to complete this course, we needed to do several  tests and assignments for each level. The assignments consisted of PowerPoint presentations, research papers and reports. For a science research report, we went on an environmental field trip to the Anton De Kom University of Suriname. To complete the other assignments, we needed to do a lot of research online.

I think, at some point, we underestimated this course. The reason why is that we thought it was not difficult. It was a lot of work, because a lot of research was needed to do the reports. A research process does not last an hour, but several days or even weeks. This was the point where most of us struggled a lot. One problem we all had was procrastination.

I want to advise all the future GAC students to take this course seriously. Don’t put things off. For example, if you have got an assignment to do belief start today. Don’t start a day before the due day. Stay dedicated, focused and positive. There is a time for fun, and a time for seriousness. If it is time to be serious, be serious! Be open-minded, and do not fear to learn. You all can do it. Have belief in yourself and your actions. Don’t look at others, but start by yourself. You all are the leaders of tomorrow!
Chayenne Flohr--Alphamax Academy and GAC 2015 Graduate.

My good friend and fellow GAC student Alain Soekhlal

Alain Soekhlal  is one of 2015 graduates from the AlphaMax Academy.  He will be reciving both the AlphaMax Advanced Diploma and the Global Assessment Certificate from ACT Education Solutions in Australia. 

Alain is a good student. He was` ranked second in our GAC class group. He is also a good friend. Alain is like a brother to me;we have known each other for over four years now. 

During our last school year here at the AlphaMaxAcademy we did the very testing GAC course to prepare ourselves for university academic work.We studied together and we did most of our homework together. This is also a reason why we became so close to each other. Alain's first big dream is to become a great Architect. His second  dream is to become a famous Equestrian.

Alain is now going to study at the SCAD University (Savannah Collage of Art and Design). This is a University in Georgia where he is going to study to become an Architect  Alain is looking forward to studyinging in the United States and he feels  his dreams will come true there.

Alain is now a member of Club Neuteraal. Club Neuteraal is club in Suriname where Equestrians can come and practice horse riding. Thy also compete in competitions in Suriname and also out of Suriname. Alain went to different countries to represent Suriname at horse jumping compositions.

Alain & I on our GAC Science Field Trip

   

Alain on Dakota-one of his horses

Even though we are both going to study in different places, we will still remain brothers. Our last year here at the AlphaMax Academy taught us that friendship is very important. Good friends are always there for each other and that is what Alain and I have. During our GAC course we were always supporting each other and pushing each other to do our best.

Friends who will push you to your limit are the ones you should keep!

Jamiel Habieb-AlphaMax and GAC 2015 Graduate.

Ambassador Subrashini's remarks on garlanding of Tagore's bust- AlphaMax Academy

In a short but moving ceremony the ICC and the AlphaMax community honored Rabindranath Tagore by garlanding his bust in the school compound.

Students and staff did school assembly around the bust. The school's anthem prayer " Where the head is held  high " - a poem from Tagore's Gitangali was said. Two hymns were sung then the bust was garlanded by Ambassador of India in Suriname Ms. Subrashini, Senior teachers, Members of ICC and the youngest students in the school.

Ambassador Subrashini of India

Mr. Taylor, Mr. Drepaul, Mr. Kraak, other teachers, staff and students.
A very good morning to all of you.
Once again I am happy to be here to celebrate Rabindranath Tagore’s 154th birth anniversary in the esteemed institution of Alpha Max Academy.

We all know Tagore as a great poet, playwright and educationist. Tagore’s belief in scientific knowledge and his concept of humanism which transcended nationalism and patriotism into universal brotherhood makes him a visionary who anticipated the global village in which we live today.

His thoughts on these issues are of great relevance even today and I quote “  to accept the truth of our own age it will be necessary to establish a new education on the basis, not of nationalism but of a wider relationship of humanity”.

He believed that education should be comprehensive to teach us different aspects of life including the mundane and the spiritual. As a visionary his views on environment and women’s rights make him relevant to our existence today. Strong sense of aesthetics, freedom and dignity of human beings were some of the themes of his works.
Tagore saw the world as a vast give-and-take of ideas and innovations. He insisted that “whatever we understand and enjoy in human products instantly becomes ours, wherever they might have their origin.” He went on to proclaim, “I am proud of my humanity when I can acknowledge the poets and artists of other countries as my own. Let me feel with unalloyed gladness that all the great glories of man are mine.” The importance of such ideas has not diminished in the divisive world in which we now live.

It is imperative that we deliberate on these modern thoughts and ideas of Tagore and derive benefits to better our lives Thank you.

My Journey to a place at SCAD

My name is Alain Soekhlal, I am 18 year of age, and I am a recent graduate from the AlphaMax Academy.  My dream is to become a famous architect, and I hope that Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) can lead me there.

Alain with Jamiel

Two years ago, I visited SCAD in Georgia, and I was fascinated with the school.  I immediately knew that this was the place I wanted to be.  The school is filled with people from all across the globe. In addition, it is a very quiet place.

SCAD

At the time I was there, I gathered all the information I needed to know about how to apply, the various costs - housing fees, and meal plans.  A year ago, I started to apply online.  There were a number of different fields that were required for acceptance.  I needed a certain amount of money that would support me throughout the course years, I needed a score of 6.5 or higher in the IELTS test, and I needed to fill out a series of different sheets with my information about myself.

Approximately two months ago, I did the IELTS test, and got a score of 7.  I immediately sent my scores to the admissions office where Mrs. Ana Velez was responsible for my work.  I frequently emailed her with different questions and her requests for information.  After I sent my scores, Mrs. Velez had them checked.

 On May 19, 2015, I received an email from Mrs. Velez stating that I was accepted to SCAD.  I was overwhelmed with joy.  I was now another step closer to my dreams.  I then waited a few days for my i20 to arrive.  The i20 is a form that the school sends for the students to take to the American embassy when applying for a student visa.

 After I received the files, I had to report to the American embassy to request a student visa.  My request was approved.  On August 24, 2015, I will go to SCAD in Georgia and start my journey of becoming a well known Architect.

Alain Soekhlal – GAC and AlphaMax Academy 2015 graduate

Alphamax lower school - Job Day

The Nature Encounters Class (N.E.C) in the primary department at the AlphaMax Academy had their most inspiring event on Friday 29th May, 2015. They displayed costumes of the job they desired the most when they grew up. The young Doctors; Nurses; Scientists; Farmer; Policemen; Soldiers; Tour Guides; etc. They all did a fantastic job!

Mrs. Polly Carmichael organzied the day. Ms. Isadora Barrow was the MC.
Both the rest of the lower school, intermediate level and high school turned out to see the students.