A summer’s hard work has paid off for five CedarBridge Academy graduates, who celebrated their fall graduation today.

“People always seem to disregard their obstacles or the number of times they have failed before they accomplished the goals they set,” CedarBridge alumnus Deneca Zuill told the graduates.

“They fail to realise that the obstacles they had to overcome, played a major role in the success story they develop.”

Ms Zuill, now an employee of Family Centre, recalled how her attitude in school had flagged after a series of tribulations during her first week — but that Kalmar Richards, the principal, never stopped holding her to a top standard.

You ever felt like Mrs Richards, as you walked down the hallways, always calls your name or picked on you for nothing? I can tell you that everything Mrs Richards does, serves a purpose and it is her job to push you to reach your full potential. She sees the qualities you have and is aware of the extra push you need to become aware of the greatness that lies within.”

New graduates Daquan Burgess, Jeron Clemendor, Dante Darrell, Courtney Stephenson and Tallia-Tamera Zuill were each congratulated on the personal impression they had left with Mrs Richards. Proud parents also addressed their children on reaching their first big milestone in life.