Belize has never been more proud of its young scholars and on Friday, November 26, the students who made Belize shine brightest in the region were honoured. Over 1,000 high school graduates made their way to the Princess Hotel and Casino’s Queen Room to receive Certificates of Excellence or Certificates of Achievement in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.
Certificates of Excellence are awarded to students who pass at least six examinations, including English A and Mathematics, with Grade 2 or better and Certificates of Achievement are awarded to students who pass six or more exams with Grade 3 or better. In addition to the fact that a record number of students received recognition certificates, for the first time in history a Belizean student won the Most Outstanding Candidate award.
Dorien Villafranco, graduate of St. John’s College, was the top performer in the region. He received 15 Grade 1’s and won subject group awards for his performances in the Sciences and Humanities. Villafranco also won five individual subject awards. According to him, the accomplishment was as a result of four years of hard work. He said that the most important outcome of his success is the fact that younger Belizean students now know that we can compete with any other in the region. For being the top performer in the country, Villafranco received a full scholarship for his current studies at St. John’s College Junior College and a laptop computer.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Education, Hon. Patrick Faber, congratulated the students and teachers on their historic success. The accomplishment speaks volumes on the quality of education available in Belize. He said that while it is a time to celebrate it is also a time to reflect on the Ministry’s ongoing effort to ensure that every student has the same opportunity to sit, do well in their CXC’s and excel in their studies. Minister Faber said that the students being awarded are models of what scholars should be. He challenged them to use their knowledge and combine it with determination to see through success in the future. During the ceremony, he announced that the Government of Belize will grant Dorien Villafranco an additional $5,000 in recognition of his success. He said, “We are extremely proud of you.” Villafranco said that hopefully the $5,000 will be an extra incentive for current high school students to work hard in their studies.
After collecting all his hardware and hard cash, he said that it was “an unbelievable day for me”. He was more overwhelmed by the support expressed by his peers every time his name was called: “It truly made me feel like we are all in this together.” The only people happier than Dorien were his parents, Audrey and Marcelino Villafranco. He said, “I think they still can’t believe it yet. They’ve both worked extremely hard with me and I’m so happy to make them proud.” Jasmini Bowen of St. Catherine Academy was the next Outstanding Candidate. She also received a scholarship and a laptop computer.
Top Belizean Performers in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) were also honoured on Friday. Ten students were recognized for their performance in the exams. Stann Creek Ecumenical Junior College boasts the most with four, while Corozal Junior College and St. John’s College Junior College were tied with three students each. The Belize Open Scholarship went to Rodyn Gilharry of Corozal Junior College. He could not make it to the ceremony and his parents accepted his award and rewards on his behalf. Anna Gilharry, mother, read a speech on his behalf in which he expressed his gratitude to all who have supported him and challenged fellow students to go out and pursue their dreams.
Dorien Villafranco will be travelling to the Turks and Caicos Islands on December 2 to receive his regional award. He also won a full scholarship to UWI for being the best student in the region. Saint John’s College was named high school of the year in the region.
