ST. CROIX — Before a packed audience at the Island Center for the Performing Arts and thousands watching via livestream 178 St. Croix Central High School graduates sparkled in striking red gowns and caps during their commencement exercise Friday.
The “Undaunted, Unstoppable and Elite Class of 2024” filed into the venue and took their seats to cheers from a roaring crowd.
Principal Andrea Hobson during remarks praised students’ academic success that she said was based on teamwork and embracing new initiatives. She charged students to always show compassion and to be considerate of others.
“Always strive to do your best to extend yourself to those in need. That is the one message I can leave with you on this very auspicious occasion,” she said.
Tuesday marked a 13-year educational milestone in which hundreds of supporters came armed with air horns and whistles to audibly demonstrate their support of graduates. The anniversary classes of 2014, 2004, 1994, 1984 and 1974 were acknowledged for their journey and their scholarship contributions to this year’s class.
Ishmael Greenidge, class salutatorian said he was proud and privileged by the honor. He is a barber, musician and point guard basketball player. He thanked school staff, and parents for their support over the years. He said there were some who doubted his ability to succeed simply because he was raised in the John F. Kennedy housing community. This only made him better.
“Seeing my parents struggle time after time to make sure I was as good as I can possibly be, has only fueled me to do great things,” he said. “They taught us the true meaning of resilience and the power of never given up. They believed in me and have been a guiding like pushing me to reach for the stars.”
He told the class to never give up, hold on to their dreams, put God first and always approach challenges with unwavering determination because they all have the power to make a difference.
Class Valedictorian Ariel Orendain , flute section leader of the CHS band, has enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp and has her eyes set on the engineering field. Her address was brief, but carried a strong message.
“How do you condense the anxiety and stress of balancing your academic goals, relationships with people and navigating all the challenges of life – hurricanes, a global pandemic, puberty — you can’t,” she said. “But if there is anything that I’ve learned in the entirety of my experience it’s to have faith in God.”
She reminded graduates that it is OK to not figure out everything all at once, and urged them to have hope for the future and for themselves as they become adults.
“Every day it seems like our childhood is going by so quickly, remember to have fun,” she said. “I implore you to look around you to take in this moment, the people you have met, those you have known, the friends and family that will always be there to encourage you. This is our moment congratulations and Good Luck to everyone.”
During the ceremony, the top 25 graduates — including Greenidge and Orendain — were recognized.
Class keynote speaker was Amber Alcindor, graduate of the Central High School Class of 2016 who recently earned her doctorate degree with plans to become a psychiatric pharmacist. She commended the graduates on their hard work thus far in life.
“Graduating from high school is an essential milestone in which you should reflect on determining your academic achievements and the life lessons it provides,” she said. “This academic achievement has supplied you with a foundation of knowledge and skills to allow you to maneuver future coursework and workplace environments. You all have shown your teachers family and most importantly yourself that you have more than the potential to attain anything you desire.”
She left them with three points – Do not compare themselves to others, they should surround themselves with like-minded individuals, and never give up on themselves even when the odds are against them.
