Graduation Highlights

St. Catherine Academy holds commencement exercises for 153 graduates

By William Ysaguirre (Freelance Writer)

BELIZE CITY, Wed. June 3, 2026

   St. Catherine Academy’s Class of 2026, consisting of 153 graduates, received their high school diplomas in commencement exercises held at the Mercy Auditorium in Belize City last Saturday morning, May 30.  Of these, 62 majored in the Academics and Sciences, 51 majored in Business, 28 majored in the Arts, and 14 majored in Computer Science. Notably, 92 of the graduates had remained on the honor roll for 4 years.

   As the libero on SCA’s Seahawks volleyball team, valedictorian Zazil Marin had helped her teammates win 4 national championships, while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average for her 4 years at SCA. Her final grade was 98.51. She also won the Catherine McAuley Award for embodying the principles of the Mercy Order. She too thanked her parents, family and teachers who helped her achieve such success, with the parting words: “Do not just aim to survive, aim to soar! Continue to grow, continue to evolve, and never be afraid to emerge into the person God ordained you to be.” She also won the Sr. Christine Escalante Spanish Award, and plans to continue her studies in Chemistry at junior college. Her career goal is to become a chef.

   Isabelle Rivers introduced the guest speaker, Commander Alma Pinelo, Class of 2007, who broke many glass ceilings to rise to her rank of Deputy Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard. She said her years at SCA taught her “humility, to strive to be better and to speak for those who do not have a voice, ensuring that we are given equal opportunity to thrive, and that our needs are heard, and future generations can see themselves in jobs outside the norm.”

   The faculty also honored Kaya Young with the Sister Rose Award, while the Constance Sandiford Business Award went to Jael Henry; and the Alice Castillo Young Writer’s Award went to Isabelle Rivers, who maintained the 4th highest GPA of 96.6. Arylee Ayuso won the Computer Science Award, and the Louis Zuniga Religion Award went to Eliza Doniz, who maintained the 5th highest GPA – 96.17. Shaylee Cunningham won the Reginald Rodriguez Science Award, and Samiya Matus won the Jude Lizama Environmental Award.

St. John’s College High School holds graduation ceremony for 147 graduates

By William Ysaguirre (Freelance Writer)

BELIZE CITY, Wed. June 3, 2026

   St. John’s College High School awarded diplomas to 147 graduates – “men to serve others”, in commencement exercises for the Class of 2026 at the Belize City Civic Center last Thursday afternoon, May 28.

   In her keynote address, SJC president Mirta Peralta, PhD, cited the college’s 139-year history of faith, excellence and service in the unwavering belief that education has the power to transform lives, communities and nations, preparing graduates to represent the future of Belize. She challenged the graduates “to become builders of that world in a society often divided by fear, inequality, injustice, and uncertainty … to be leaders of hope, compassion, reconciliation, and truth.” She exhorted them to serve as “ethical leaders who will use knowledge, not just for profit alone, but for the advancement of humanity and the protection of human dignity.” She also urged them to find God in everything, and use their education “to build a more just, peaceful and inclusive society, where every person is valued and respected.”

   Salutatorian Manik Vanjani and valedictorian Lucky Zhao both received the prestigious Pedro Miguel Espat Award. Zhao received a $4,000 cash award to help him pursue his tertiary education, while Vanjani received a $1,500 award to support his continuing studies. Zhao had achieved the highest cumulative grade point average over his 4 years of study: 4.41. Zhao also achieved first premiums in Transport and Defense in Animals, Principles of Chemistry, Biodiversity, Information System Development, Associated Mathematics, The Mind and The Body 2, Waves: Physics of An Atom, and Christian Family Life. He also earned 2nd place premiums in Upper Intermediate English, Literary Interpretations for CSEC 1, and Activities and Future Plans in Spanish, and served as a member of the student delegation to the 2025–2026 Model Organization of the American States.

   Vanjani achieved the 2nd highest cumulative grade point average over his 4 years of study: 4.39. He also earned first premiums in Challenges in the Caribbean Economy, Entrepreneurship 3, Information System Development, Literary Interpretations for CSEC 1, Associated Mathematics, The Mind and the Body 2, Principles of Accounting, Promotion and Logistics in Business, Christian Family Life, and Activities and Future Plans in Spanish. He too served as a member of the 2025–2026 Model OAS, was the vice president of the 2025–2026 Student Council, and a Kairos Leader

   Leonidis Gillett, who delivered the vote of thanks, had achieved the 3rd highest cumulative GPA: 4.31. He also earned first premiums in Challenges in the Caribbean Economy, Professional Documents in Business, Entrepreneurship 3, Information System Development, The Mind and the Body 2, and Activities and Future Plans in Spanish. He also achieved 2nd premiums in Upper Intermediate English, Literary Interpretations for CSEC 1, Associated Mathematics, Principles of Accounting, and Christian Family Life.

St. John’s Junior College awards 401 Associate degrees

By William Ysaguirre (Freelance Writer)

BELIZE CITY, Thurs. June 4, 2026

   St. John’s Junior College conferred 401 Associate degrees, while the 2nd graduating class of the SJC University awarded 62 Bachelor’s degrees in commencement exercises at the Belize City Civic Center last Thursday morning, May 28. Of the Junior College graduates, 148 majored in Business, 95 in Mathematics and Sciences, 79 in Social Sciences, 34 in the Humanities, and 45 in Computer Science. This included 30 nurses.

   “Your journey has been one of growth, resilience and transformation,” SJC president Mirtha Peralta, PhD, encouraged the graduates. “You have learnt to ask difficult questions, to challenge assumptions, to serve others, and to discover not only what you wish to do in life, but who you are called to become.” She challenged them to become builders of a society: “You are called to be leaders of hope, compassionate”, she said. She called on each graduate to recognize that his or her degree is a call to service, to become ethical leaders, for the advancement of humanity, and to use their gifts to uplift others.

   SJC dean Solangel Alvarado, PhD, recognized the top achievers of each department for Associate degrees: from the Natural Sciences: Meagan Lockwood – GPA: 3.94; in Computer Science: Gavin Harban – GPA: 3.89; in Social Sciences: Stephanie Thiessen – GPA: 3.92; in Business: Lily Pike – GPA: 4.0, and Zion Alisa Smith – GPA: 4.0; and in the Humanities: Casey Jones – GPA: 3.96.

   Of those who were awarded Bachelor’s degrees, the top achievers were Janine Alpuche — Business with concentration in Finance, GPA: :3.96; Dominique Gentle—Computer Science—:  GPA: 4.00; and Anthia Thompson—Social Science with concentration in Psychology: GPA 3.88.

   Visually impaired Maria Cal, who received an Associate degree in Humanities with a GPA of 3.53, did not let her physical disability stop her from outstanding academic achievement and leadership, which won her the President’s Scholarship worth $20,000 to pursue a Bachelor’s degree at SJC University. The college also recognized Jesuit scholarship winners: William Andrewin – Engineering, and Samiyah Castro – Biology and Chemistry, both at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio; Elizabeth Coye – Mechanical Engineering at St. Louis University, Missouri; and Jade Alexis Sanker – Psychology at St. John’s University, Belize.

   The Pedro Miguel Espat Entrepreneurial Award worth $5,000 went to Zion Smith for her business plan, Solid Property Care.

56 Maud Williams High students awarded diplomas

By William Ysaguirre (Freelance Writer)

BELIZE CITY, Thurs. June 4, 2026

   Maud Williams High School’s (MWHS) Class of 2026 – 56 graduates: 24 young women and 32 young men — received their high school diplomas in commencement exercises held at the Bliss Institute for the Performing Arts in Belize City on Wednesday evening, June 3.

   MWHS principal Deborah Domingo congratulated the 56 graduates for their commitment to thrive and succeed, and their determination and resilience, and gave special kudos to the school’s male basketball team that won both the Belize City and the national championship, with Trevaunte Brown winning the City MVP award, and Jason Orosco winning the national MVP award. She also congratulated track athletes Marlon McLaren and Tyler Garcia for their golden performances in the 100m, 400m and 800m at the national athletics championships in Georgetown. She then acknowledged the students who will be furthering their studies at the University of Belize, Wesley Junior College and St. John’s Junior College. She encouraged her students: “Trust in your abilities, remain grounded in your values, and continue to move forward with confidence and purpose. … May you continue to grow, lead and make a positive impact wherever life takes you.”

   The valedictorian, Michelle Bainton thanked her teachers for the valuable life lessons they taught her over the past 4 years: discipline, perseverance, respect, responsibility and the value of hard work. She noted that her success was a group effort by her parents and teachers, as she “was supported, encouraged and uplifted by many people along the way. … “. “You can achieve anything you want in life, as long as you work hard, remain determined and believe in yourself,” she told her fellow graduates.

    Salutatorian Geneva Card achieved the 2nd highest GPA, and gave the welcome address, while Christie Card achieved the 3rd highest GPA and delivered the vote of thanks.

    Kalisha Card, who achieved the 4th highest GPA, had the honor of introducing the guest speaker, Belize Coast Guard Commandant Gregory Soberanis. “Seize the day,” Soberanis urged, “Walk with purpose! Fulfill your destiny! Despite the circumstances, overcome your handicap!” He emphasized the value of “persistence and integrity, to build your character, and fulfill your destiny.”

   MWHS teacher Krista Novelo congratulated all top-4 students along with the other students who had been on the honor roll for the past 2 years:  Khalihana Gordon, Leshawn Castillo, Danisha Slusher, and Francisca Navarro.