Nassau, Bahamas – Lyford Cay International School (LCIS) hosted the graduation ceremony for the school’s 9th graduating class on June 4, 2014 at the Hilton British Colonial Nassau.
“The diploma you receive today should not be thought of as a reward, but rather a commitment to continue the life-long process of learning,” said LCIS principal, Stacey Bobo in her address to the graduates. “The habits of mind that you have learned at Lyford Cay International School should now be forged into that special compound we call “excellence.” Excellence is the antidote to apathy and idleness and forms the basis of ethical behavior. It is key to living a rich and meaningful life, to achieving self-actualization.”
The Commencement Address was given by LCIS Alumni Barbara Ann Bernard. She talked to the graduates about learning fro life’s failures “Let’s think about what failure is for a minute,” she said “To me, it’s when I deem that I have fallen short of my own expectations for myself. Failure is personal. It’s when we feel that we have let ourselves down. That’s what failure is. And as long as we can make failure our teacher, and not our undertaker, we’re making progress. I failed spectacularly; with 40,000 votes and NBC filming from a hovering helicopters, Team weWin fell short of a record at the World Championship of the sport. And it’s still ok. In fact, it was a really fun journey. And I’m here tonight to tell the story, right? See… Failure isn’t fatal. It also isn’t final. Team weWin is racing again for that record on September 22nd!”
For the third year in a row LCIS acknowledged a member of the graduating class who has attended LCIS for all of their academic lives, affectionately and respectfully known as “Lyford Lyfers”. This year’s class “Lyfer” was LeeAnn Azzara. LeAnn was presented with a special commemorative award recognizing her 14 years at LCIS.
Previous “Lyford Lyfers” include:
Class of 2013 – Gerrick Farquharson
Class of 2012 – Francesca Curry, Daniel Jennings, Marisa Maura
Class of 2011 – Samuel Jennings
Class of 2010 – Alexis Roberts
Class of 2008 – Jordan Kemp, Fritz Stubbs, Natascha Vazquez
Class of 2006 – Eduardo Vazquez
The Class of 2014 is:
LCIS Valedictorian 2014, Davina Adderley
Davina has been a student at LCIS since August 2011. She has served as Head Girl and Head of Student Council. She has earned the GGYA Silver Medal, been a delegate for the Bahamian, Boston and McGill Model UN, and was head delegate and student leader for the Speech and Debate Club.
Davina has been a student coordinator and member of the Stephen Dillet Enrichment Program for three years as well as group leader for the Elementary Lunchtime Helper’s program. She played on the LCIS Dragons Volleyball Team for three years, was historian and a member of the Interact Club, participated as a dancer and clarinet player for the LCIS Junkanoo Group and was a leader of the LCIS Sizzler’s Step Team.
She will be studying Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Richmond having earned a full scholarship valued at over $250,000.
LCIS Salutatorian 2043, Edouard Candiotti
Edouard has been attending LCIS since August 2010. He has been an active member of the LCIS Dragons Football Team, the Rugby Team and has participated in International Sports, the Interact Club, The Eco Club and The Investment Club. Edouard has served as Head Boy and Student Council member. While at LCIS he earned his GGYA Bronze Medal. Edouard will study International Affairs at the University of St.Gallen, Switzerland.
LeeAnn Azzara – LeeAnn is a Lyford Lyfer – she has spent her entire academic life at LCIS. She entered nursery in 2000. LeeAnn has been the Secretary and a member of the Student Council. She played football with the LCIS Dragons for four years and was a member of the Investment Club, the Stephen Dillet Enrichment Program and a Student Coordinator. LeeAnn is headed to Florida State University to study Civil Engineering.
Donique Adderley – Donique entered Grade 10 at LCIS in 2011. She has served as a group leader and member of the Stephen Dillet Enrichment Program, the Elementary Lunchtime Helpers, the Junkanoo Club Cowbell Division, and the Sizzlers Step Club. Donique has been a member of the International Sports Club, the International Dance Club, the Interact Club, and the Basketball Co-Curricular. She was also a student helper with the ELC Art Club. Donique will be studying Health Science at Pace University
Charlotte Frey – Charlotte has been attending LCIS since 2004 when she entered in Grade 3. She was a member of the LCIS Dragons Football Team for three years and participated in the Stephen Dillet Enrichment Program for two years. Charlotte was an Interact Club member and has earned her GGYA Bronze Medal. She will be continuing her education at Ecole Hoteliere Lausanne in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Erika Kleijn – Erika has been attending LCIS since Grade 2. She is a long serving member of the LCIS Dragons Swim Team and she has also played Volleyball and participated in the Fitness Club. She was a member of the Stephen Dillet Enrichment Program and the Interact Club. Erika has earned her GGYA Bronze Medal. She will be studying art history and business at Amsterdam University College.
Kasia McCartney – Kasia joined LCIS in Grade 8 and has been a member of the Interact Club and the Stephen Dillet Enrichment Program. She was a member of the LCIS Dragons Football team and assisted as a LCIS soccer coach. Kasia was a Model United Nations delegate and Student Council Member as well as an active member of the Volleyball and Rowing Teams. She will work towards achieving her Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences at Dalhousie University, Canada
Sasha Pyfrom – Sasha came to LCIS in Kindergarten. She has served as Grade 11 class representative, Interact Club member and a member of the Stephen Dillet Enrichment Program. Sasha played on the LCIS Dragons Football Team and participated as a free dancer in Jr. Junkanoo. In 2012, Sasha was awarded the High School Art Award. Sasha will be studying Business Marketing Management at Oxford Brookes in the UK.
Pierre Knowles – Pierre entered LCIS mid way through his Grade 9 year. He has been a member of the Interact Club, the Drama Club, and the Yearbook Club and has earned the GGYA Bronze Medal. Pierre has participated as a football coach, a member of the LCIS Dragons Football, Rugby and Basketball Teams. He has been involved with Strength and Conditioning, Kayaking, International Sports, and Ultimate Frisbee. He was also responsible for crafting costumes for Jr. Junkanoo. Pierre will be attending the University of Westminster where he will study Business Entrepreneurship.
Emma Hall – Emma began LCIS in Grade 8. She has been a member of the Student Council and the Interact Club. She was Clifton House Captain for two years and Captain of the U14 Dragons Football & the U17 Bears Football teams. She represented The Bahamas as a member of The Bahamas National U14 Football Team. Emma rushed with the LCIS Junkanoo Group: Winners of the 2013 Junior Junkanoo Competition. She placed 2nd and was awarded the Photogenic Award & Social Media Excellence Award in the 2013 BTC Starmaker Competition. Emma will be attending Barry University of Miami Shores in the fall.
Congratulations to the 2014 Graduating Class on their accomplishments.
For further information, please contact Gillian Watson at 362-4774 ext 251.
