Bibi Afeera Siddiq named ACE valedictorian
Forty two pupils graduated from All Children’s Education (ACE) Foundation School and seventeen from Tzu Chi/ACE’s Humanitarian Pilot Kindergarten School during a joint ceremony held at the Tzu Chi Foundation on L.B. Scott Road on Sunday, June 21.
Of the 37 pupils who graduated, 20 were grade six pupils who sat the Foundation Based Education (FBE) Exit exams; 13 were from Grades 7/8 and nine received their Traffic Exam Diplomas. This was the first time that ACE School participated in the Traffic Exam. Eleven pupils sat the exam and nine were successful.
Bibi Afeera Siddiq was named ACE valedictorian for receiving the highest score in Math and English at the school in the FBE Exit Exams. Romani Arrondell received the highest score in General Knowledge and Myloundji Desilien the highest score for Dutch at the school.
A number of pupils from the Tzu Chi/ACE Humanitarian Pilot School were presented with certificates in several categories including for Helping Hands, Most Athletic, Most Improved, Good Manners, Good Behavior, Most Outstanding and Artistic Skills.
Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Rita Bourne-Gumbs congratulated the graduates and offered some inspiring and encouraging words during remarks at the ceremony.
The graduation ceremony was preceded by an Open House at the Tzu Chi/ACE Humanitarian School for the guests who arrived early.
The programme opened with Tzu Chi volunteers singing a welcome song following which parents queued up and placed the graduation hats on the heads of their children as a tradition in ACE/Tzu Chi graduation ceremonies.
The opening ceremony featured the singing of the St. Maarten Song and an opening prayer by ACE Principal Claire Elshot.
Following the presentation of diplomas, special awards and certificates, several ACE Grade 5 and Grade 7 pupils delivered a poem entitled “graduation.” The class of 2015 also sang “Where ever I go.”
Tzu Chi/ACE Humanitarian School teacher Esmalyn Dennis did a sharing on the Tzu Chi/ACE Humanitarian School. She started in the pilot programme three years ago and described the mission, vision, goals and objective of the school. A parent also shared his experience with the knowledge gained by his children, who are enrolled at the school.
Tzu Chi St. Maarten Founder Sandra Cheung also performed a skit about love and being one family. She was assisted by three youngsters who acted out to illustrate her story.
Each graduate and teacher was presented with a gift at the end of the ceremony.
A total of 30 Tzu Chi volunteers assisted during the graduation ceremony, which was sponsored by Tzu Chi Foundation. Some 75 guests were in attendance.
Roger Cheung, one of the Tzu Chi volunteers who assisted, said he was impressed that ACE had a large turnout of graduates who shared diverse ethnic backgrounds. He said the pupils were cordial, well mannered and attentive to their respective teachers and he was grateful for an opportunity to assist in the event.