ST. THOMAS — With a purposeful march to the ceremonial strums of steel pan, five All Saints Cathedral School graduates turned their tassels on Thursday evening, rejoicing in the persistence and discipline that led them to that point.

The members of the Class of 2026 included Public Relations Officer Anjolie Alvalle, Vice President Zinnia Bess, President Keiori Francois, Treasurer Kashayla JnJacques, and Secretary Sennai Nelthropp.

Valedictorian Francois called the day “a celebration of prayers that have been prayed.”

She said the class had counted down and stressed out about what now felt like an unreal experience.

Referring to the class motto, “Turning ambition into achievement,” she said her fellow graduates had put in the work day after day, even when no one was watching.

“Moments like this are never achieved alone,” Francois, who was named Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Role Model and University-Bound Youth Role Model, said. “Our success did not happen by accident.”

Francois, also named the USVI’s Best Oralist in a 2025 Moot Court Competition and for the St. Thomas-St. John district in 2026, revealed that she has received a full ride scholarship to Binghamton University.

Salutatorian Zinnia Bess told the class to work hard and stay true to their boundaries in the face of obstacles and challenges.

She thanked Jesus, teachers, and their families for the support along the way, urging the new graduates to move forward with confidence, courage, and gratitude.

“Each and every one of us is capable of achieving great things,” Bess said.

Alvalle reminded her classmates to choose kindness, thanked families and teachers for their endless love, and encouraged them to be resilient in adversity.

“I hold the steering wheel on the ship of my future,” she said.

She quoted from Maya Angelou’s poem, “And Still I Rise,” to end her address.

During her remarks, Carla Sarauw, head of school, announced that the Class of 2026 had been offered $1.3 million worth in scholarships and grant awards from 29 institutions. She noted the school’s accomplishments despite setbacks, such as having two out of its three signature fundraisers canceled due to a pivotal staff member’s unexpected illness.

All Saints still made its mark in spelling bees, sports such as soccer, moot court, chess, and math competitions, she said.

“Remain curious,” Sarauw, who said it was her last year as principal, told the graduates. “Never stop asking questions. Never stop seeking knowledge.”

Commencement speaker Darlene Baptiste, recently named chief executive officer for the territory’s hospitals and who graduated from All Saints 40 years ago, dubbed the class the “Fab Five.” She told them they had succeeded despite hurricanes, COVID-19, and power outages.

“Embrace who you are and what you were meant to be,” Baptiste, who also inducted them into the alumni association, said. “I encourage you to soar as you turn this moment, your ambition, into achievement.”

As they go on to pursue fields such as marine biology, industrial psychology, and radiology she told them to remain bold, purposeful, and powerful.

The ceremony, officiated by Rev. Deacon Romaine Carter, included JnJacques serving as litanist, and Nelthropp introducing the commencement speaker.

Original source: vi