Power failure adds to festive spirit at Seventh-day graduation

ST. CROIX — There were a few moments of complete darkness — punctuated by occasional whoops and hollers and comments about the Water and Power Authority — on Sunday when the lights went out at the St. Croix Seventh-day Adventist School graduation.
 
Slowly, tiny spots of pale light began popping up across the St. Croix Educational Complex auditorium, as those watching the graduation pulled out their cell phones for the light.
 
And then, in the darkness, a song rose up.
 
Cameras started flashing toward the front of the auditorium, illuminating the 15 members of the Seventh-day Adventist School Class of 2010, who had gotten to their feet, turned to face the audience and started singing a religious song — a cappella — with the complete exuberance of teenagers about to be turned loose on the world.
 
Before the power outage was over, they had trooped up to the stage and sung some more, to thunderous applause, whistles and shouts.
 
When the lights came back on, the graduates returned to their seats and listened as commencement speaker Anthony Selkridge, an alumnus of the school who graduated in 1980, continued with his speech.
 
Selkridge talked about how their parents had been planning for their success since the day they were born, calling it the 20-year plan. He said that the plan was not over yet.
 
“You are the future. Do not be afraid to make your mark,” he said, then outlined a map that he said the graduates could use as they journey through life.
 
It included travelling off island to experience the world, reading and keeping informed, being unafraid of taking risks, not settling for the status quo, being humble, saving for a rainy day, embracing technology, keeping in touch, and praying.
 
Valedictorian Trichelle Ekpe said she does not believe there is a blueprint for success.
 
“All there is to it is work hard and be careful with the friends you keep, because some can either break you down or lift you up,” she said.
 
She said that she usually tries to find a quiet place to do her studying, and occasionally gets up in the wee hours of the morning to study for a big test.
 
Her studying at times involved doing her best to catch up.
 
She has had medical issues for the last two years — particularly in her junior year — and had to work hard to keep up with her classmates, she said.
 
“I was sick. I used to faint a lot and have a lot of stomach pains. I was home for awhile,” she said, adding that tests found gallstones, and she was out of school for that. “Again, the hard work comes in.”
 
Trichelle’s advice to other students is “to never underestimate themselves, to always strive for excellence. If they feel they can’t make it or do as good as others, they should pray to God to help them, because through it all, they can make it no matter what.”
 
Trichelle intends to go to the University of the Virgin Islands in the fall and major in computer science, with a minor in accounting and music, she said. She wants to continue her studies until she earns a doctorate, then open her own business. She enjoys music in her spare time and plays the piano for her church, sings and plays guitar and flute.
 
In her valedictorian address, she told classmates they had all learned that tenacity leads to success.
 
“We are ready to face the future,” she said. She told her classmates that when they are looking for heroes, “look for the hero that is inside of you.”
 
In an interview, salutatorian Jahdel Jules said that his trust in God is the basis for his academic success.
 
“Without God, I would have no pavement, or no foundation for my way to success, because through him all things are possible,” Jahdel said.
 
“Because of him, I have endeavored and reached many milestones. I’ve had perseverance. It’s not easy to become salutatorian.”
 
He does his studying when it’s quiet, with few distractions, he said.
 
Earning the salutatorian title did not come without challenges, he said.
 
“I have had many obstacles,” Jahdel said, adding that his father is “very ill,” and is getting treatment in the States.
 
“I basically had to be a father figure for my family,” he said, adding that his mother was working three jobs and he tended to her as best he could. He is the youngest child in his immediate family, but helps look after his nieces and nephews, he said.
 
“I have to mentor a lot of nephews, cousins and nieces,” he said.
 
“Sometimes it’s really difficult. There are times I thought I couldn’t make it, staying up until 2 o’clock in the morning doing homework, addressing different situations in the household.”
 
His advice to other students?
 
“I would always encourage other students to firstly, put their trust in God and to always stay focused, because life has so many distractions, Jahdel said, adding that they should be strong-headed about reaching their goals.
 
He plans to attend UVI to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing, then go to the States to earn master’s and doctorate degrees in nursing. He said he wants to be a family nurse practitioner.
 
“I really love to help people,” he said. “It would do my heart so good, if even while on the job, I could be helping other people, my own family and community.”

St. Croix Seventh-day Adventist School Class of 2010
 

Valedictorian: Trichelle Ekpe
 
Salutatorian: Jahdel Jules
 
Number of Graduates: 15
 
Number Going to College: 15
 
Schools where they are accepted:
 
Andrews University
 
Art Institute of New York
 
Columbia Union College
 
Florida International University
 
Florida State University
 
Houston Community College
 
Howard University
 
Iowa State University
 
Johnson and Wales University
 
Oakwood University
 
Prairie View A&M University
 
Southern Adventist University
 
University of Central Florida
 
University of New Haven
 
University of the Virgin Islands
 
Total merit scholarship offers: $370,000
 
— Contact Joy Blackburn at 774-8772 ext. 455 or e-mail jblackburn@dailynews.vi.

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