Thirty-eight students of the class of 2011 graduated from Bermuda High School at a ceremony on the BHS lawn before a large audience of proud parents, family, teachers and friends, on May 25.Head of School, Mrs Linda Parker, encouraged the new graduates to “seek, nurture and find your passion.” She noted that the path they choose may not always be the easiest one and gave the example of BHS alumni, Dr Barbara Ball, the first female doctor to practice medicine in Bermuda, who worked tirelessly to breakdown social barriers.James Gilmour introduced the guest speaker, BHS alumni 83, and Ace Bermuda executive vice president Judy Gonsalves, who gave an inspiring address to the graduates. Ms Gonsalves reflected on her time as an International Baccalaureate (IB) student overseas and noted that IB nurtures a passion for learning, curiosity and critical thinking skills. She told the students that “the future is not something that happens to you, it is something you create.”The audience was entertained by the musical presentations, Canon in D by Pachelbel performed by Madeleine Fox, Adrienne Miller and Kate Ross, and a duet “A Whole New World”, sung by Carly Broadhurst and Kelsea Williams.Mrs Ross, head of IB, presented the diplomas and awards to the very excited graduating students. All 38 graduates have been accepted into universities and colleges around the world including the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, the University of Wales, Savannah College of Art and Design, The University of British Columbia, Middlebury College, Brown University, McGill, Dalhousie, University of Southern California, Berkeley and the University of Southampton in the UK.Awards were presented to Caitlin O’Doherty, Mariangela Bucci, Katherine Cusumano, Riann Ming, Adrienne Miller, Carly McQueen, Chloe Brookes, Madeleine Fox and Jenna Burrows, Jenna KesseramCaitlin O’Doherty, Domico Watson and Dacotah Baksh spoke on behalf of the graduates, all students acknowledging their gratitude for the acceptance and support they enjoyed from their peers. Domico Watson thanked parents, teachers and friends for their support.Catlin O’Doherty reflected on the school experience, the fact that they had learned much about the world, the community and themselves and are now moving on to the next stage in their lives.Dacotah Baksh noted that the choices they will make for their futures are as diverse as they are and that it is a bittersweet moment for graduates because it marks the end of something familiar and at the same time is the beginning of the rest of their lives.Everyone enjoyed the reception and cake that concluded the graduation ceremony.Congratulations Class of 2011.