Photos: CedarBridge Prizegiving Ceremony

December 16, 2014

“Time can be your friend as well, as time can be your enemy,” said Vanessa Paulos, 2007 Graduate of CedarBridge Academy, to over 100 students being celebrated at the recent Prizegiving ceremony held at Ruth Seaton James Auditorium.

Current S4, S3 and S2 students were being celebrated for their efforts during the 2013-2014 school-year. Students were recognized for academic awards and receiving grades of A or B on international exams in Science, Art, Music, Drama, English, French and Spanish.

Several students were recognized for leading CedarBridge Academy in championships titles for various sports, like Volley Ball, Football [Girls and Boys], Junior Varsity Basketball, Track and Field, Relay, Badminton, and Rugby.

CedarBridge Academy currently has several students who qualified as dual enrollment students, that is S2, S3 and S4 students who are currently fulltime students at Bermuda College.

The Learning Support Department was recognized for establishing the first Vocational Career for the school. They were also recognized for the 3 students in the functional academics programme were accepted at universities in the United Kingdom.

The Mathematics Department was recognized for Centre For Talented Youth’s Annual Math Olympiad with students form each year level placing in the top 10 and students from S1 dominating at their level.

Students from the Social Studies Department saw the government and the courts in action. One student from the Foreign Language Department earned an Alliance Franciase scholarship which allowed him to travel to France during the summer of 2014, and Business students partnered with the workforce development; creating an Information Technology Club, preparing students for the KPMG investment Challenge.

The PE/Health and Family Studies Department celebrated successes which saw over 33 students received certificate for First Aid and CPR, students earned numerous awards in the Annual exhibition allowing CBA to take first place as a senior schools

“I can’t believe it has been seven years since I graduated from CedarBridge Academy,” Ms. Paulos said. “I sat in those exact same seats thinking that I had all the time in the world to do all the things I wanted to do in life.”

Ms. Paulos explained to the students that while “we” are celebrating their achievements, those things they have worked hard to achieve, keep in mind that the journey they travel they will come across several heartaches and disappointments, they will have their challenges, but it is how they overcome these challenges and obstacles, that will determine their lot.

“Sometimes these obstacles are blessings in disguise to teach us things…you only don’t realize it at the time,” she told the students. “How you react to what you are faced with, determines what kind of outcome, the rest of your journey through life will be like.”

Ms. Paulos then told the students her obstacle, which was her first module toward her efforts to become a qualified accountant. She explained that her first results were not what she wanted, she failed by 3% – a very hard pill to swallow. Her second set of results were not as she wanted either and she had to decide whether or not she will continue or give up.

She had to ask herself, why did she begin the journey, because failing was new to her, she doubted herself. She explained that she did not get that far to quit. “I let my fears and doubts overshadow my true potential,” she told the students.

She then told students that it is important to identify your fears, face your fears and be courageous enough to tackle them. “Surround yourself with people who can encourage and support you when you begin to doubt your abilities.”

She ended her speech telling students that they are the embodiment of hard work, high expectations, commitment and skill of the teachers at CedarBridge Academy. Telling students to be who they are meant to be and don’t be afraid to make their own decisions and pursue their dreams.

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