Aberdeen High to stage first graduation

Thursday, June 29, will be a special day in the history of the Aberdeen High School, as the St Elizabeth-based institution will be having its first ever graduation.

The school, which was upgraded five years ago, will now be graduating its first batch under the theme 'Pioneering the future, charting the course for a sustainable Jamaica'.

Deon Medley, who is the chairperson for the graduation committee, described the moment as a "very historic moment for this institution."

"All stakeholders are working with great exhilaration to make this event a most memorable one," said Medley.

Dr Nadine Leachman, deputy chief education officer, will be the guest speaker.

The school will graduate 30 students, three of whom have four or more Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) passes. One of those students passed mathematics while in grade eight.

The day's event will climax with an all-white party, 'Rise and Toast'.

"This event is geared towards bringing the students together for the final time. Rise and Toast signifies that this batch of students, they are pioneers of Aberdeen High School," Medley said. "They have risen above many challenges like an eagle, and we toast them as they create history."

She added: "Most students, when asked how they felt, stated: "For us, this party replaces the prom that we will not have. It is a time to relax, celebrate and toast."

Since being upgraded to high school, students have taken part in several national competitions, chief among them was TVJ's All Together Sing, the Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships, and other Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association competitions at the Under-16 and Under-14 levels.