A mother who lost her son in a road crash urged his graduating class yesterday to pursue their dreams and to get up if they stumbled.

Kizzy Green’s 17-year-old son, Jeremiah Phillips, was in his last year at CedarBridge Academy when he lost his life in January.

Ms Green, who spoke during the Class of 2024 graduation ceremony at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts, said: “This is a bittersweet moment for me, because my son would have walked across this stage, but God called him home.”

She urged graduates to pursue their dreams and added: “Success is not how high you have climbed, but how you make a positive difference.

“Your hardest times often lead to great moments of your life, so please always keep going.

“Thank you for this moment. My family and I will for ever be grateful, and we are honoured to be here today.”

This year’s graduating class featured 72 students — 35 boys and 37 girls.

According to the principal, Kenneth Caesar, they completed more than 150 college applications and have so far received more than $1 million in scholarship funding.

Graduates have been accepted to several schools, including the Bermuda College, New England Institute of Technology, Kingston College and Howard University.

Dual enrolment valedictorian Fabiola Adams earned an associate’s degree in science from the Bermuda College while at CedarBridge.

She told graduates: “While some might see my accomplishments within these four years as exceptional, for me it was simply about doing what needed to be done to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor.

“To the parents of graduates, current and future CedarBridge students, I encourage you to set high standards for your children.

“That is the secret to seeing your children succeed and be in these maroon robes.”

The ceremony’s guest speaker, Quadre Emery, told graduates that their journey “does not end here”.

Mr Emery, who graduated from CedarBridge in 2020, said: “Graduating high school is not a time to stop learning, growing, progressing or moving forward in life.

“Now is the time to think about what that next moment is, so you can elevate yourself again.

Mr Emery earned a bachelor of science in biology from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale and will continue his education at the University of Miami in August.

He said: “With persistence, creativity, resilience and determination, you can overcome [financial] challenges.

“Be patient in where you are going; patience is not about waiting, it is about enduring and persevering through the wait.”

Tajer Basden, valedictorian for CedarBridge’s Bermuda School Diploma programme, urged graduates to be independent, but never afraid to ask for help.

He said: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions, because there are a lot of people out there who have the answers and want to see you succeed.”

Graduates were not the only ones recognised yesterday — deputy principal Timothy Sousa won the first Faculty Member of the Year award, which came with a $1,000 contribution from an anonymous donor.

Mr Caesar challenged graduates to make a difference in the world after leaving CedarBridge.

He said: “When Bermuda needs a leader of this country, a member of the Class of 2024 should step up to the plate and be a leader one day.”

He added: “I am going to remember you as a class of genuinely nice people, and the expectation from all of us at CedarBridge Academy, when you walk out these doors today, that you make a commitment to make the right choices and to be successful members of not only Bermuda, but of the world.”

Photo gallery