Charlotte Amalie High School celebrated its 93rd graduation ceremony on Thursday, with 187 graduates, known as Chicken Hawks, gathering in the school auditorium alongside family, friends, and well-wishers.

Principal Angel Petrus hailed the year as one of “great accomplishments and moments to be proud of and to celebrate.” Rather than dwelling on the disruptions caused by the pandemic, Petrus highlighted notable achievements. These included the JROTC battalion’s victory in the inter-island drill competition, triumphs in the territorial moot court competition, and championship titles in basketball, volleyball, and soccer. Academically, the class excelled with 113 students graduating with honors and 42 receiving high honors. Additionally, 51 seniors were inducted into the National Honor Society, and six were recognized as AP scholars. Three students gained early admission to the University of the Virgin Islands, and 71 obtained certifications in technical and vocational subjects.

District Superintendent Dr. Stefan Jurgen emphasized the power of self-belief in his address before presenting awards to the valedictorian and salutatorian. “If you believe you can, or cannot – you’re absolutely correct… It’s the power of your mind,” he remarked.

Education Commissioner Dr. Dionne Wells-Hedrington encouraged graduates to embrace their unique gifts. “One of the things I think that we struggle with today is trying to fit into some kind of mold of what a successful person looks like,” she said. “All of us were born to be unique; that’s why we all look different. We’re not meant to fit into anybody’s mold.”

Salutatorian Karra Henderson reflected on her transition from a small private middle school to a large public high school. She credited her success to her hard work and the support system around her. “This recognition is not just a testament to my hard work and dedication, but also the incredible support system that has surrounded me,” she said, calling her high school experience transformative.

Valedictorian Maleah Davis acknowledged the challenges faced by her classmates. “The two years of isolation brought with us an uneasiness and loneliness that time has yet to fix,” she said. However, she expressed pride in her peers, noting the diverse futures ahead of them, from entrepreneurs to healthcare professionals.

Keynote speaker Ivo Philbert, a 1984 CAHS alumnus, praised the resilience of the graduating class and urged them to remain true to their identity as Chicken Hawks. “You got this, because you are Chicken Hawks,” he said. Philbert highlighted successful Virgin Islanders like Aliyah Boston and Theron Thomas, urging graduates not to feel limited by their island background.

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. praised the school’s “culture of excellence” and stressed the importance of community support. He commended the graduates for their achievements and encouraged them to remain bold and authentic. “You have many mountains to climb and many, many, many graduation stages to walk across. Be bold, be yourself,” he concluded.

In a jubilant ceremony on Thursday, 181 seniors of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School (IKEHS) proudly crossed the gymnasium stage to receive their diplomas.

This year’s graduating class has set a remarkable academic benchmark, with Principal Sally Petty highlighting its achievements in her opening remarks. She noted that 25% of the graduates earned high honors, while an additional 29% received honors. Impressively, 87% of the class is set to pursue post-secondary education.

The IKEHS Class of 2024 also boasts the highest proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Math, and Science across the territory, according to the 2023 Smarter Balanced State Standardized Assessments. Their exceptional performance has garnered $2.1 million in scholarships. Additionally, 52% of this year’s graduates are boys, marking one of the largest cohorts of male graduates in the school’s history.

Principal Petty encouraged the graduates to take pride in their accomplishments and embrace the opportunities ahead. “The world you’re entering is full of opportunities and possibilities,” she said, urging them to be confident in their ability to achieve great things.

Class salutatorian Nillia John-Pierre, 17, described the Class of 2024 as “the chosen ones who are survivors of Irma, Maria, and COVID-19.” She shared four guiding principles for success—aptitude, altitude, attitude, and ambition—and advised her peers to remain grateful for the support of family, friends, and teachers.

Valedictorian Darnell Birmingham, who will attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston, echoed the theme of gratitude and thanked his support network. He encouraged his classmates to use negativity as motivation. “Take the discouragement as encouragement and motivation to prove them wrong,” he said, likening their struggles to the transformative process of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly.

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. praised Birmingham’s achievements, humorously expressing his admiration. “I want to be Darnell Birmingham when I grow up,” he joked, celebrating Birmingham’s recent national recognition.

Dr. Muria Nisbett, a 1999 IKEHS alumna and the event’s keynote speaker, shared her inspiring journey from teen motherhood to earning a doctorate. She emphasized resilience in the face of challenges and the transformative power of education. “Success is not a straight path,” she said, encouraging graduates to pursue their passions with determination and to give back to their communities.

Dr. Nisbett concluded with a powerful message: “The world is waiting on you to make your mark. Find what you’re passionate about and pursue it with all your heart.”

The IKEHS Class of 2024 stands poised to make significant contributions, embodying the school’s tradition of excellence and resilience.

In a remarkable display of achievement and tenacity, all 173 seniors of St. Croix Educational Complex High School met the requirements for graduation this year. Celebrating under the banner of “E.L.I.T.E” – an acronym for empowered, lavish, invincible, tenacious, and extraordinary – the class of 2024 was praised for their outstanding accomplishments.

“Extraordinary. There is no better word to describe this class. You are a class that has broken records,” Education Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hendrington told the triumphant students. Other officials, including Governor Albert Bryan Jr., Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach, Senate President Novelle E. Francis, and Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett, were present to honor the exceptional graduating class.

In his opening remarks, Principal Rodney Moorehead highlighted the year’s successes, including several intramural sports trophies, the launch of the school’s band program, student-produced plays, and the reintroduction of the pre-cadet police program. The audience learned that the 10 seniors enrolled in the pre-cadet program have already applied to join the Virgin Islands Police Department.

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. reflected on the pride he feels from celebrating the achievements of students across the territory, noting how their successes motivate him to attend graduation ceremonies even during challenging times. “Last week, I almost didn’t make it to the Central graduation because I was distracted by how much effort it was taking to get the power back in St. John,” Governor Bryan said. Despite the challenges, he chose to attend the graduation because the students make him “feel so good.”

Class valedictorian Allarie Monsanto shared the spotlight during her speech, highlighting the achievements of her fellow classmates. “We have leaders like Malia Navarro who led protests that sparked change in our school’s environment. We have athletes like Davina Browne who broke national records in Track and Field,” Monsanto noted.

Salutatorian Alexia Sargeant wove the class’s E.L.I.T.E. acronym into her advice to fellow graduates. “Lavish in the joy of every victory, no matter how small. Stand invincible in the face of adversity. Be tenacious in the pursuit of your dreams, and never forget how extraordinary we are,” she encouraged. Sargeant will continue her academic journey at the University of Connecticut studying physiology and neurobiology, while Monsanto will attend North Carolina A&T State University on a full scholarship to conduct chemical research.

The ceremony’s keynote speaker, Tionee Scotland, a 2004 SCEC alumnus and the current Communications Director for Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett, used Kanye West’s song “Good Morning” to deliver her message. “Remember, morning always comes. So no matter the mistakes you made the day before, you have an opportunity to shake off all negative vibes and greet every new season, like this one, with a big, beautiful, determined elite ‘good morning,’” Scotland said.

As Scotland inspired the graduates with her words, she challenged them to consider their own life anthem. “That’s my challenge for you today. What song will your life sing?”