Valedictory

The glorious sunset, the proud parents and grandparents, the solemn silence and the somber music were the atmosphere in which the Valedictory 2020 was held.

The graduating batches of Stds 10 & 12 were led into the SJBHS grounds by the Principal Fr Sunil Fernandes SJ. The students marched for one last time through their school and the Chief Guest Dr. Uday George Zachariah (Old Boy – batch of 1988 and Professor of Hepatology, CMC Vellore) and his mother were escorted to the dignitaries’ enclosure along with Fr Melwin Pinto SJ, Superior South Indian Jesuit Juniorate, who was specially invited to preside over the solemn graduation ceremony. They were escorted by the Vice Principal Mr Uday Kumar; Administrator of the Primary School Rev Fr Alwyn D’Souza SJ; the Vice President of the PTA Mr K C Joseph; the Secretary of the PTA Mrs Sudeshna Ghosh; the President of the OBA Mr Ian Lewis and the Secretary of the OBA Mr Rajiv Shenoy.

The prayer service called on the Almighty to shower His immense mercy on the Valedictorians so as to guide their every step and watch over their every decision.
The Principal welcomed the gathering and in his speech said that, as Josephites, the students must go into the pluralistic society to be harbingers of peace and harmony, belonging to one human family, wherein their education is used to spread goodness, hope and unity.

The representatives of the graduating batches gave their final message, a throwback on their years at Joseph’s. Their gratitude to the management, staff and support staff was heartfelt and generous. The underlying excitement to sail through to other avenues was evident as well. The transition of charge to the students of Stds 9 & 11 was another poignant moment in the farewell and their response to the valedictorians spoke of carrying forth the Josephite legacy.

The Chief Guest spoke of his time at SJBHS. He had nothing but fond memories to share. Dr Uday reiterated what the graduating students already knew – that they were the chosen few! He cautioned them to use their education to move forward and to achieve their dreams with just one mantra in mind. The same mantra followed by thousands gone before the school motto of faith and toil: ‘Fide et Labore.’

Fr Melwin, who represented the Rector, wished the graduating students well in all they did. He urged the students to go beyond the call of duty, to contribute to the world and to serve the poorest of the poor. He said that they should believe in themselves and love whatever they chose to do.
Certificates and mementoes handed over to the outgoing students, the strains of the farewell songs that followed and the myriad of photographs clicked will be the cherished treasures that the students are armed with when they recall their journey through 27, Museum Road!
The special song by the teachers and the traditional candle light procession will echo in the hearts, minds and souls of the graduating students because each of them strongly believe in the adage – “Once a Josephite, forever a Josephite!”
So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will they soon become inevitable Christopher Reeve