A weekend of celebration culminated in the Commencement Exercise for the fifteen seniors graduating from Triple C School.  The celebration activities started with a Baccalaureate Service on Sunday night with the seniors being inducted into the Alumni Association.  The high point of their celebration was receiving their diplomas and certificates at the Commencement Exercises on Monday, June 3rd, from the Hon. Franz Manderson, the Deputy Governor.

At the Baccalaureate Service, Kadi-Joy Merren, Class of 2004 was the keynote speaker. At the beginning of her speech she shared with the graduates, the origin of the baccalaureate service, which is believed to have originated at the University of Oxford in 1432 and where each bachelor was required to deliver a sermon in Latin as part of his academic requirements. Miss Merren jokingly invited one of the graduates to deliver a sermon in Latin, which definitely brought fear, joy and relief to the students when they all knew she was not serious.  She did share a Latin phrase with the students, to embrace, as they prepare to enter the next phase of their lives.  It was Carpe Diem (seize the day). Miss Merren spoke briefly about herself and the some of the challenges that she too faced as a graduate but encouraged them to never give up no matter the challenges because all the hard work will pay off one day.

For the Commencement Service, the Chairman of the Board, Mrs. Vanessa Godfrey-Banks, welcomed all the family member, friends, and well-wishers of the graduates at the First Baptist.  Once again, the service began as robed faculty, with candles symbolically lighting the way, processed to the front of the church and formed a receiving line.

Simon Tatum, graduating with a 3.85 average, delivered a very heart-felt Valedictory address. Simon took time to highlight each of his classmates and what made each one special, which played a big part of why their class was so unique.  Christal Samaroo, Salutatorian, took time to recognize everyone who played a key role in helping her get where she is today.  For the subjects awards the recipients were Ashley Bernard for Christian Education, Christal Samaroo for English, Erick Faustino for Mathematics, Brent Whittaker for Science, Simon Tatum for Social Studies and Mellisa Morgan for Business Studies. Subject awards are given in 6 disciplines to those students who have the highest average over a 4 year period.  Simon Tatum received the Outstanding Senior Award, an award that recognizes, scholarship, leadership, citizenship, loyalty, and peer and teacher rapport.   Simon also received the Ernst & Young award, for outstanding academic achievement. Simon will be attending the University of Missouri, studying Art History, and minoring in Business.

Pastor Alson Ebanks of the Church of God Chapel – George Town presented the Creative Christian Award to Ashley Bernard and Simon Tatum.   This award is given to students who have accepted the Lord as their personal Savior and who are living out their witness for the Lord both in and out of school.

Receiving the Community Service Award was Corriel Orrett for her work with the Save Our Youth organization. High School Visual Arts Achievement Award, sponsored by The National Gallery was presented to Simon Tatum. There were also two new scholarship awards presented this year, the Myles Music Award and the Triple C School PTA Scholarship Award for extra-curricular excellence.  The Myles Music Award recipient was Christal Samaroo and the PTA Scholarship Award went to Erick Faustino.

Mrs. Mary Lawrence, the former Speaker of the House and proud grandmother of the Valedictorian, Simon Tatum, gave the Commencement Address.  Mrs. Lawrence told the graduates that they are all a MIP (Most Important Person) as they are all a unique creation, made by God.  As they prepare for the next stage in life, Mrs. Lawrence encouraged the graduates to pack their backpacks one more time but this time include three important guidelines for the future, 1) Know Yourself – Who Am I, Who Am I to Me and spend some time in knowing who you are.  2) Love Yourself – To love others you must first love yourself.  3) Be Yourself – Do not give who you are to try and be someone else.  All who listened was enlightened and inspired by Mrs. Lawrence speech.

The Deputy Governor, Mr. Franz Manderson also spoke to the graduated before presenting them with their diplomas.  Mr. Manderon spoke on three words Honor, Respect, and Courage.   He noted that today, some of his own classmates are in the Legislative Assembly, while some are in Northward Prison. Mr. Manderson expressed that he feels what made the difference between the two groups was that one took the time to honor parents and teachers, respect themselves, others, and the law, and courage to stand up for what was right and against those things that would pull them down.  He urged the graduates to remember those three words and to make it a part of their lives.

Triple C School is very proud of the Class of 2013 and all that they have accomplished during their individual time at Triple C. Triple C School has a long and distinguished history of academic excellence in the Cayman Islands.  Founded in 1941 as a mission of the Church of God Chapel, the school has grown and changed with the times as Cayman has moved from the island that time forgot to a one of the world’s major financial centers.  The central goal, as expressed in the Mission Statement remains:  “To provide an internationally competitive education in a Christ-centered environment.”  Nothing else will do as we prepare citizens for tomorrow and eternity.

Picture 1: Class of 2013

Picture 2: Simon Tatum, Valedictorian, being present the Ernst & Young Outstanding Academic Achievement award by Mr. Jamaine McFall.

Picture 3: Christal Samaroo, Salutatorian, receiving the Myles Music Scholarship Award.

Picture 4: Ashley Bernard, receiving the Creative Christian Character award from Pastor Alson Ebanks.

Picture 5: Brent Whittaker receiving the Outstanding Leader Award from Mr. Johann Moxam, Chamber of Commerce.

Picture 6: Corriel Orrett receiving the Save Our Youth (SOY) Community Service Award from Mr. Lankford for SOY

Picture 7: Erick Faustino receiving the Triple C PTA Scholarship Award

Picture 8: Commencement speaker, Mrs. Mary Lawrence.