Page 3 - 24th Commencement Exercises - May 29, 2021 Version 2

Message from the Principal

Congratulations on your fantastic achievements Graduating Class of 2021! I know
this is a moment you and your families have been anticipating for many years. I’ve
known many of you since you were bouncing preschoolers, watched you grow to
become the marvelous young adults you are today, and could not be more proud
of you as Southville International School and Colleges (SISC) graduates. You all
deserve to celebrate and be proud of yourselves.

Usually, when principals give farewell messages, they offer words of advice to sup-
port graduates in the “real world.” However, in reflection of the challenging cir-
cumstances you graduated in, school IS the real world. Just like the rest of the
world, you exerted yourself remotely in taking classes and exams and completing
your requirements and research paper. Your graduation is not just a ceremony
that recognizes your curricular and extra-curricular achievements but also high-
lights your hard work, grit and courage.

You are some of the most powerful and innovative students in the history of
SISC. During the pandemic, you developed a knack for making the best of bad sit-
uations and rising to the occasion. You faced a crisis of historical proportion and
came out on the other side victorious and strong. You supported one another
and did not let virtual school take your humanity and empathy. Graduating during
pandemic times truly makes you our nation’s and world’s hope.

You have also fulfilled the dreams of your ever-supportive parents who have
stood by you every step of the way, your guardians who knew when you needed
them, and your teachers who inspired and encouraged you. To quote master
teacher Rita Pierson: “Every child deserves a champion—an adult who will never
give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they
become the best that they can possibly be.” Your graduation is a wonderful ex-
pression of your parents, guardians and teachers’ love for you.

Congratulations once again, Class of 2021! You are ready for the next chapter of
your life. We are excited to see where you go next!
Dr. Marie Vic F. Suarez
School Principal