The Berkeley Institute’s Class of 2022 started a new chapter in their lives today with the help of more than $1 million in scholarships.

Graduation attendees at Flora Duffy Stadium in Devonshire heard that 20 pupils received $66,500 in scholarships and awards from Berkeley.

Scholarships from private companies as well as government and early admission scholarships from universities pushed the total amount of financial support to $1,514,206.

Keisha Douglas, the principal of Berkeley, said that she had not seen this much cash raised “in all my years as principal”.

She added: “The end result, ladies and gentlemen, of our coming together, keeping together and working together in spite of obstacles that we may have faced along the way is the ultimate success of the graduating Class of 2022.”

The graduation came less than three months before the school’s 125th anniversary on September 1.

Ms Douglas said 35 graduates had been accepted into top universities across the United States, Britain and Canada.

She added that 48 pupils would be attending the Bermuda College in the fall, while 12 would join the workforce and 19 were undecided.

Three students also graduated from the Bermuda College through their Dual Enrolment Programme.

Soleil Graham, the school’s valedictorian, who was involved in the programme, was highlighted for receiving an associate’s degree in premedical science with distinction — the first Bermuda College student in history to do so.

She also graduated today with advanced honours of summa cum laude — Latin for “with highest praise”.

Ms Douglas said that she was “incredibly proud” of how the class came together to further their learning despite the challenges they faced.

She added that the work of the 114 pupils proved that “when you keep the end in view, you can achieve anything”.

Ms Graham, who received a cumulative GPA of 4.8, said that she was “honoured” to have been made valedictorian and credited her faith for her success.

She also thanked Berkeley’s faculty for helping to run the school with ease.

Ms Graham reminded her peers to not judge their success on others’ standards.

She added: “I admonish you, Class of 2022, do not get caught up and hung up on the bumps in the road — just focus on the destination and know that the path you tread has been tread by others before you.

“If not, cut and clear the trail with pride and confidence, knowing that others are looking on and being inspired by your bravery and initiative.”

Jezhari Talbot, prefect and Student Council vice-president, introduced the guest speaker, Mahogany Bean.

Ms Bean, a lawyer with Carey Olsen Bermuda, reminded the new graduates of the school’s motto, “Respice Finem” — “Keep the end in view”.

She said: “When keeping the end in view, you have to be determined to achieve whatever goal you set for yourself and persevering no matter how hard things get or how many rejections or failures you may face along the way.”

Seven pupils will complete their nursing certifications at the Bermuda College in the coming months.

Eight pupils graduated summa cum laude: Ms Graham, Kallan Richardson, Abigail Frost, Nasya Burgess, Ruth Mello-Cann, Mr Talbot, Camryn Tyrrell and Isaiah Hayward.

Three students graduated magna cum laude: Jaime Furtado, Timothy Lightbourne and Maya Dean.

Three graduated cum laude: David Cole, Jaelen Jones and Raequan Woolridge-Butterfield.

To see more pictures of the ceremony, click here.