Holy Cross Anglican School

Holy Cross Anglican School proudly graduated twenty five Standard VI students on Sunday, June 21st.  The Nunez Auditorium at San Pedro High School was beautifully decorated and hundreds of parents, family members, students, staff members, volunteers and friends joined together to honor the graduating class of 2009.

Mistress of Ceremonies and Standard II teacher, Ms. Zulma Vasquez called on Ms. Nancy Schorr, Team Leader for the volunteer group from Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Kingwood, Texas to offer the Opening Prayer.  Following the National Anthem, Gaspar Villamil, School Salutatorian gave the Welcoming Address.  Principal, Mrs. Grace Williams then addressed the crowd encouraging the graduates to continue their education and to remember that hard work is required to accomplish worthy goals.

The Infant Division serenaded the class of 2009 with a most appropriate item, "You've Done Your Job" followed by the  Valedictory Address given by Jonathan Martinez. The graduates then preformed their class song, "The Climb" which spoke to their class theme, "The struggles I'm facing sometimes knock me down but I'm not breaking...".

Guest Speaker Mr. Jahmor Lopez, Belize District Education Officer, challenged the graduates to overcome setbacks and failures and to continue climbing their personal mountains.  He set the example of Jesus before them and reminded all present that even Jesus stumbled three times on His way to the cross.  Jesus got up and continued onward and so should you, Mr. Lopez asserted.

Mrs. Francis Wilson gave the Local Manager's Address reminding all present that only three short years ago, Holy Cross didn't exist.  Today it is a vibrant primary school with 500 students.  Mrs. Wilson also announced the scholarship recipients from the class of 2009.  A total of $15,000 in scholarships was awarded to the class of 2009.  These scholarships were provided by friends of Holy Cross Anglican School in the US, Canada and England.  The following students each received a $1,000 scholarship for First Form:  Desmond Bailey, Damaris Caliz, Maite Livingston, Jose Luis Marroquin, Jonathan Martinez, Miriam Palacio, Nolbin Perez, Alvaro Puc, Christian Ramos, Kimberly Reyes, Miriam Rodriguez, Briceydi Vanegas, Gaspar Villamil, Ishtar Williams.

In addition to the scholarships given to the graduating students, ten students who graduated from Holy Cross in 2008  received a $1,000 scholarship to continue onto Second Form.  They are Irvin Chacon, Julio Chacon, Kimberly Carrillo, Shaunne Elliott, Victor Hernandez, Michael Howe, Rudy Puc, Estrella Trochez, Samantha Welch and Estrellita Williams.

Mrs. Wilson concluded her remarks by sharing how proud the management and staff of Holy Cross was to be able to assist twenty five of their graduates with scholarships totaling $25,000.

The Middle Division next sang "We Are The World" followed by a very moving 'Passing of the Torch of Knowledge' Ceremony.

Finally the long awaited moment was at hand as the twenty five Standard VI students stood to receive their diplomas.  The certificates were distributed by Mrs. Grace Williams and Mr. Jahmor Lopez.  The three outstanding students from each class then received gifts distributed by parent volunteers Mrs. Maricruz Martinez and Mrs. Brenda Martinez. 

The Graduation Ceremony concluded with a poem, "Be the Best of Whatever You Are", recited by the upper division students, The Vote of Thanks by graduate, Christian Ramos and the final benediction by Mrs. Nancy Schorr.

Twenty five joyful primary school graduates exited the auditorium amid applause and rejoicing. They took their first steps into the next chapter of their lives!

The Direct Abundance girls - Joanne Heather and Cathy arrived in Belize today. They came from Canada with 450 lbs /9 big bags of donations for the Holy Cross School. Of course everyone at the school was overjoyed.

On Wednesday, May 27, at 9:00 am  a community march was held  in San Pedro under the theme, “Justice For All”!!!!!  This march was designed to increase awareness of the abuse suffered by women and children here in San Pedro and throughout Belize.   It also focused on how the local Police Department must respond to domestic violence under the Violence Against Women Act of 2007. 

The students from Holy Cross were very excited to participate in this march as it was the culmination of a year long educational commitment to breaking the cycle of domestic violence.  From the beginning of Holy Cross in 2006, NO corporal punishment has been permitted.  This stance has required  re-educating teachers who may themselves have been lashed at school, re-educating parents who often expect their children to be beaten if they misbehave and re-educating our students who sometimes don't believe they are misbehaving if they aren't whipped.

We have been assisted in our efforts to promote non-violent discipline by Dr. Kim Shackelford, professor of Social Work at the University of Mississippi and Amrei Joerchel, a PHD candidate in Psychology from Vienna, Austria.  Both ladies spent several months at Holy Cross teaching the staff effective classroom management and behavior modification techniques as well as working with many of our aggressive or unruly students.  Their presence here at the school underscored the desperate need for counselors in all schools.

The staff and students of Holy Cross Anglican School are grateful to the local and national news media for helping spread the Anti-Abuse Message.  No one, man, woman or child should be hit, beaten, threatened, stalked, exploited or terrified by another person.  Joining together, we can help stop abuse and achieve "Justice for All"!