Graduation Highlights

Nazarene High awards 126 graduates

By William Ysaguirre (Freelance Writer)

BELIZE CITY, Mon. June 8, 2026

   “Today’s Graduates, Tomorrow’s Leaders” was the theme for the graduation ceremony of the 64 young ladies and 62 young men of Nazarene High School’s Class of 2026, who received their high school diplomas in the school’s 58th commencement exercises at the Belize City Civic Center last Thursday morning, June 4. Of these, 31 had majored in Academic subjects, 31 majored in the Arts, 35 majored in Business, and 29 specialized in Vocational studies.

   Salutatorian Irma Lemus had achieved the 2nd highest grade point average (92.50) of her class, and she welcomed the parents and guests, thanking all teachers and counselors who had helped her classmates succeed on their 4-year journey. “We are ready to face the world with confidence. Let us remember that we have amazing power inside us, as well as endless opportunities ahead. We have everything we need to succeed, and it is up to us to use these tools to build a great future,” she encouraged her classmates. “We have a God who will guide our steps forward when we trust Him,” she further said.

   “Growth often begins in discomfort, and strength is built through perseverance”, valedictorian Maylin Hernandez (GPA: 92.57) reminded her peers. “We are stepping into a world that needs leaders of integrity, not only intelligent people, but also compassionate and responsible individuals … May we always remember that true leadership begins with character. The future will remember not only what we accomplished, but how we treated others along the way … Never allow success to make you arrogant, and never allow failure to make you hopeless,” she counseled.

   Guest speaker, Miss Universe Belize, Isabella Zabaneh encouraged the young graduates to make a difference, to effect change, by presenting a question: “Not ‘What will happen to you?’ but ‘What will happen because of you?’ History changes when one person decides to move.”

   School principal Elisa Seguro PhD encouraged the graduates: “Continue to uphold the values that define Nazarene High School: accountability, respect, honesty, integrity, faith, excellence, and absolute truth.” She applauded the fact that 98 percent of the class had met the requirements for graduation, as well as the 100 percent success rate in some external examinations, and the Platinum award received by the school in the STEM Robotics competition, which only Nazarene High had achieved this year, which were feathers in the caps of their teachers. She also congratulated the athletes who had qualified to represent Belize at this year’s CODICADER Games in Tegucigalpa in September. She cited the new evening division of Adult Continuing Education (ACE), which the Education ministry has now licensed the school to offer. “The world needs leaders of courage … of integrity … of faith”, she urged the graduates.

   Principal Seguro congratulated the 48 students who had graduated on the honor roll, with special recognition of the top 10 (cumulative average over 4 years): Maylin Hernandez – GPA 92.53, Irma Lemus – GPA 92.50, Yeimy Hernandez – GPA 89.99, Imani Ozaeta – GPA 88.61, Yefri Cente – GPA 88.45, Aylin Chacon – GPA 88.31, Ethel Jenkins – GPA 88.06, Azim Flores – GPA 87.70, Estevan Babb – GPA 87.11 and Jeslyn Rivera – GPA 86.31.

   Bridget Pineda, who had the highest GPA in 4th Form only, offered the vote of thanks.

66 students graduate from Pallotti High

By William Ysaguirre (Freelance Writer)

BELIZE CITY, Mon. June 8, 2026

   Pallotti High School’s Class of 2026 – 66 graduates—received their high school diplomas in commencement exercises held at the Best Western Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City last Friday evening, June 5.

   In her welcome address, salutatorian Karissa Young encouraged her classmates to be bold: “Let us not be the kind of people who look back and wish you had tried harder, taken risks or lived more, instead of people who embrace opportunity when it arrives … years from now … I hope we can say we became everything that the younger versions of ourselves hoped for!”

   For her part, valedictorian Natalee Saravia affirmed, “Life gives you challenges that are difficult to overcome, but it also grants you opportunities. I advise you to take those opportunities to grow, to learn, and to become better … We cannot predict what will happen in a few years, but we can work every day towards our future. I am positive. Be kind, be humble but more importantly, be you!” As she was concluding her remarks, she was almost overcome with emotion and took a minute to compose herself, as she thanked her parents and family for their support to help her achieve her goal.

   Guest speaker Cecilia Ramirez Smith encouraged the graduates to persevere towards their objective: “As young women nurtured and guided in the Pallottine tradition, you are unstoppable when you channel your energy into purpose, discipline and faith. My hope for you graduates is that you will never limit yourself. My hope is that you will pursue excellence, not just for recognition, but because you understand your worth and your potential. My hope is that you become women of integrity, compassion, courage and conviction … that you will use your talents not only to improve your own lives, but also to strengthen your families, your community, and our beloved Belize.

   “When you encounter obstacles, you will face them not with fear, but with confidence, knowing that Pallotti High School has equipped you with the values, skills, and character needed to navigate whatever lies ahead,” she assured them. “Always use your success to create opportunities … You have been prepared not only to succeed, but to make a difference,” she concluded.

   After presenting the graduates with their diplomas, school principal Rushawn Reynolds-Bowman also presented special awards to the top 3 students—giving top honors to Natalee Saravia, 2nd place honors to Karissa Young, and honors to Maxlee Ventura, who had achieved the 3rd highest grade point average during her 4 years at Pallotti. Ventura also delivered the vote of thanks.