Class of 2011!

Here in Guatemala the school year starts in January and ends in the beginning of October--making this the time of the year for graduation and summer vacation. This past Friday NPH held a graduation ceremony, similar to what you would imagine in the states, for all of the kids graduating from preschool, sixth grade (sexto), ninth grade (tercero básico) and high school (bachillerato). Over one hundred students from NPH and the surrounding towns/villages, who attend the NPH school, were ready to celebrate their accomplishments.

The preparations for graduation started weeks ago with the making of decorations and making sure the comedor (dinning hall), where graduation is
held, was looking its best. The morning of graduation all of the teachers, me included, were in charge of decorating for the big day. Fake diplomas and graduation hats hung from the ceiling, large bouquets of yellow roses were placed by the graduates seats and glittery letters that spelled out class of 2011 were hung on the wall. The comedor was ready for a perfect day!!!

The students marched into the ceremony to the popular song Creeré (believe) and took their seats of honor. The ceremony started soon after with mass, a guest speaker and the handing out of diplomas and academic awards. The students were called up by name to walk across the front of the comedor, shake the directors and teachers hands and receive their diplomas. Every single student returned to their seats, diploma in hand, with a huge smile on their faces.

Graduation Day was a huge success for many because if it were not for NPH they would not have been provided with the schooling to graduate or the people in their lives to push them to achieve their goals. I could not have been happier to be apart of the day or more proud of my students (18 of whom graduated) and my girls (8 of whom graduated).

Felicidades Clase de 2011!!!!!

Graduates from my preschool English Class!

Esme (from my section)-so proud with her
diploma in hand.

Juana (from my section) showing off her diploma.

The graduates!

Lourdes, Juana, Celeste, Esme and me after graduation.

My boys from my tercero básico class--they are all externos,
which means they live outside of NPH and just
 come to attend school. I had such a fun year with them!