Commencement Address at Democracia

Hello parents:
The dining hall was completed in time for the Bullis students to see it this morning on their way to the airport. The are in transit as I write back to the U.S. Also our country coordinator, Matt Miller, delivered this commencement address at the school this morning. Since it involves some of the work that Bullis and other World Leadership School groups have done at the school, I thought I would post it here. Congratulations Bullis students on work very well done! Hopefully pictures of the dining hall will be posted here soon.
Ross

Graduation Commencement Speech for
La Democracia Government School
June 25 2009
Theme: GO LIGHT YOUR WORLD

Good Morning to everyone; Ministry representatives, Principal Garcia, Teachers, parents and especially students and our distinguished GRADUATES!

Today is a gift. I suppose that is why they call it The Present. Today marks a crossroad for all of us. This is the day our primary school graduates take a step a bit further out and into the light. Go Light Your World is the theme of this commencement ceremony and I can see that each and every one of our graduates here is looking ahead, not behind. Ahead is where your future lies.

Today also marks a new chapter in this village. Our school is growing and expanding. New buildings have sprouted and taken root here in the school yard, more educational tools have and are being installed, parents are volunteering to assist teachers in meaningful, supportive ways, and the graduates from this little school are shining brightly this morning as they step out into the world with the joy of accomplishment in their academic achievements.

They now are GRADUATES. And as they step out today, one step closer to becoming responsible teen agers on the path to adulthood, I remind us all to take pause to count our blessings. We live in a peaceful country. We have clean air to breath and fresh sweet water to drink. God’s gifts of nature are plentiful and remind us of our rich natural heritage; we are blessed with natural capital. People from other countries come here just to experience what we take for granted every day. And some of these visitors fall in love with our village, the Sibun River and the diversity of birds that fill the air with songs. One year ago, a group of middle school and high school teachers visited Democracia and were welcomed by several families here who were willing to open their homes and their lives to these curious visitors. The first night was a bit uncomfortable for both guests and hosts. This Experiment in International Living proved to be a big success by the time night 2 rolled around. Strangers had become friends, food and drink shared, addresses and phone numbers were exchanged, and pictures and stories made their way back to hometowns across the States. And this year, students from these hometowns visited our school and participated in many activities with our Belizean students. They exchanged ideas about biological diversity and climate change, they volunteered their labor and they brought gifts in the form of computers, school supplies and cold hard cash to pay for a few improvements to our school. All this is to say that the light definitely is shining on Democracia. Just look at who and what this light is attracting!

So graduates, Go Light Your World. And remember these important points as you complete the change from childhood to adolescence. 1) Be the leader to guide yourself and others to do the right thing. Be responsible and respectful. Mind your parents, and parents do everything in your power to help create opportunities for your children to grow, continue to learn and find their purpose in life. Be consistent and complete what you started. Continue to read and stay current on what is happening in the world around you. Help conserve and protect the environment. Strengthen your courage by doing one thing every day that you are afraid to do. And finally, believe in a Higher Power; remembering who is in control.

Thank you for the invitation to attend today’s graduation ceremony. Know that Monkey Bay will continue to shine a light to attract other parts of the world to Democracia in order to encourage world peace and friendship.

God Bless.