21 Students Graduate from St. Maarten Academy PSVE
21 St. Maarten Academy Preparatory Secondary Vocational Education Section (PSVE) students attended their graduation ceremony in the Motorworld Showroom in Cole Bay on Thursday June 20th, celebrating the end of their educational journey at the school.
The ceremony, hosted by Motorworld, was well-attended by family and loved ones of the students.
Rena Amjad, CEO of Motorworld, shares “It’s an absolute honor to be a part of such an important moment for the upcoming generation on the island, and we encourage each graduate to go out there with integrity and to know that they have what it takes to persevere and follow their passions.”
During the ceremony themed “Teamwork Makes The Dream Work”, students enjoyed dance and musical performances by Academy PSVE students and N.I.A students and were encouraged to never forget the importance of collaboration and taking care of one another by Keynote Speaker and Academy PSVE Alumnus, Josiah Lamothe. Principal Monique Beek stressed in her address that “teamwork is the ability to work together towards a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon result.”
The ceremony commenced with an upbeat procession of the PSVE Class of 2024, accompanied by the class teachers, followed by various addresses by faculty and the Chief of Staff of Ministry Education, Youth Culture and Sports Ms. Malaika Hickinson.
The PKL Valedictorian, Samantha Samedi, delivered her address reminiscing on the shared experiences and friendships that were made during their time at the Academy PSVE, as well as the difficulties that they overcame together. In closing, she admitted to being nervous of what life has ahead for them, but knows that the future isn’t something that is entered, but something that is created. “When I look into this crowd, I see a bright future full of hope and change; good change.”
Special awards were given to the school’s top performers. For the PKL stream, these included Samantha Samedi, Carlton Jackman, Maria Marin Vanegas, Jacques Nazaire, Mary-Jens Sherwood and Chandler Thompson. Top performers of the PBL stream included Akeem Williams, Teszon Blake, Zaira Carty, Gabriele Blijden, Xavier Setran Blanco, Vanya-Rennee Lake, Ariel Fletcher, Breonna Joseph, and Gershwin Baly.
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by PBL Valedictorian, Akeem Williams, where he showed appreciation to his family for their support, as well as the FAVE Board: Dr. Tallulah Baly-Vanterpool, PSVE Management Team, PSVE Graduation Committee, Ms. Bernadette Davis from Marketing Solutions and to the owners of Motorworld and their Marketing Team.
