By Joni Valencia | Projects Director, Founder
Amira Marin, Danny Marin, Lexee Marin and Morgan Carrasco might be a small class, but they are the pride of Caye Caulker as the very first graduates of Ocean Academy. Founded in 2008, Ocean Academy is the first non-profit community high school on Caye Caulker, Belize and this your generous support helped make this milestone happen.
Principal Hilda Marin opened the June 11th, 2011 graduation ceremony by unveiling Ocean Academy’s new crest. An open book symbolizes the importance of learning, three gold coins represent the three co-founders’ contributions, a dolphin symbolizes the freedom that education brings, rolling waves show our desire to push forward around the world, mangroves signify strength and stability, and foliage around the shield indicates the school’s deep respect and protection of the environment.
Music was integrated throughout the ceremony, starting with the Pomp and Circumstance processional, a guitar performance by student Lilly Aldana of "Stand By Me" and ending with an inspiring interpretation by the graduates of the song “The World’s Greatest”.
"I’m that star up in the sky, I’m that mountain peak up high, Hey I made it, I’m the world’s greatest, And I’m that little bit of hope, When my back’s against the ropes, I can feel it, I’m the world’s greatest".
And this group of young people truly have great plans! Danny has been accepted into the University of Belize, and Amira will study at Muffles. Morgan will continue his work with environmental conservation groups. Lexee has been hired at Belize Diving Services after successfully completing her Advance Diving course through Ocean Academy’s aquatic tourism P.E.
To see more photos of the ceremony and celebration, go to the school website (link below) or visit the Facebook page for Caye Caulker Ocean Academy.
Links:
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
