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Twenty-five years on: St. Maarten Academy still producing stellar CXC results. By Kim Lucas-Felix

sxmacademygraduation11012012Cul De Sac:--- It was a fitting way to close one calendar year and look forward to another, as 83 proud graduates of St. Maarten Academy took their final walk as students and emerged as new leaders for a better St. Maarten.
That last school night in December 2011 also marked another momentous occasion for the school – its 25th anniversary of offering the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) exams.
Like the institution that nurtured them, the group, with Tamara Reid as valedictorian, embodied the theme, "Believe It and Achieve It". The St. Maarten Academy started in 1986, believed in its ability to be a leading institution of education on the island, and has proudly achieved 25 years.
At its annual commencement ceremony on December 14, 2012, Principal Shareed Hussain took the opportunity to reflect on the years since the school's inception and the people who helped to shape its destiny.
"From the time the St. Maarten Academy was born, this noble institution believed that it had to make valuable contributions to the development of this island. Today, if you examine the offices of government, the legal system, tourism industry, business, education, healthcare, you will find students of the St. Maarten Academy performing. The school will continue to play a significant role in providing the human capital for the advancement of this island as we strive to build our nation in the coming years.
"To believe in something can be easy, but to achieve it can be a very challenging and daunting task. We at the St. Maarten Academy have always believed in excellence and over the years, we continue to achieve it. We travel this path because we have the indomitable spirit to stay focused amidst all obstacles, the unwavering commitment to work very hard, and the unshakeable faith and trust in the Almighty God. These ingredients provide the platform from which we launch our drive to achieve what we believe in," Hussain said to a gathering that included Acting Governor Reynold Groeneveldt; Education Minister, Dr. Rhoda Arrindell; and Finance Minister Hiro Shigemoto.
Hussain said the Class of 2011 exemplified the principles of the school and like previous years, produced outstanding results at the May/June 2011 Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations.
For the first time, seven students passed a total of 12 subjects. Hussain made it a point to note that all students graduating from the institution sit the examination only once and write their subjects at the same time. Other outstanding performances included 21 students passing 10 subjects, an equal number passing nine subjects, nine students passing eight subjects, and four students passing seven subjects. Just three students passed only six subjects, still surpassing the required five subjects needed to enter most colleges and universities.
The achievement of the students, he said, would not have been possible without "a fantastic team of teachers"
"They have the expertise, patience and determination to bring out the very best in our students."
Hussain reflected on the early struggles to start the CXC programme. "A quarter century ago, we at the St. Maarten Academy believed that affiliation with the regional examination board, the Caribbean Examination Council, was the correct way to go for our students. We worked very hard to convince the educational authorities of the then Netherlands Antilles that the CXC certification was worldwide recognized and achievable by our students.
"We had our trials and tribulations to convince all that we were doing the right thing. We used our indomitable spirit and courageous tenacity to achieve that goal and we shall continue to pursue greater educational goals to take this institution to greater heights beyond comparison."
Among the pioneers who fought to establish CXC on the island were Mr. Macdonald Alexander (principal), Mrs. Patricia Lourens (vice-principal), Mrs. Josianne Fleming-Artsen (vice president of the school board and educational advisor), Ms. Velda James (Mathematics teacher), Mrs. Solange Duncan (Spanish teacher), Mr. Wellington Archibald (Biology and Information Technology teacher), Mr. Henry Thomas (Art teacher), and Mr. Hussain (then Physics, Mathematics and Information Technology teacher).
"As our young nation moves forward, we at the St. Maarten Academy believe in education for self-reliance, self-determination, and liberation. We believe that we are going to achieve these goals because we plan purposefully, prepare prayerfully, proceed positively, and pursue persistently," Hussain told the gathering in the school's auditorium.
Former Academy student and media personality Cedric Peterson delivered the feature address, while Minister Arrindell expounded on the theme chosen by the Class of 2011. Mr. Van Dijk Bell, president of the school board, outlined future programmes, including advanced secondary education that will soon be offered at the institution.
Valedictorian Tamara Reid also copped the Principal's Prize for her outstanding contribution to the school, as well as the "Most Outstanding Business Student" award. The first runner-up was Solomon Hosein, while Shakimo Martinus received the honour of second runner-up, as well as the "Most Outstanding Science Student" award.
The Principal's Prize for outstanding academic performance went to Dorvanique Cocks, Derina Jean, and Atwanna Voglezon; while Jagdeo Gumbs and Chesley Augustine were named Most Athletic Male and Female Student, respectively.
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