Royal Institute International School Celebrates first Graduation Ceremony
View(s):Everyone remembers the words to the ‘Graduation song’, and it is a song that resonates well with students who are in their final year of 
school, as they set to embark on a long journey sometimes away from home, family, friends and all that was familiar to them. Thus every student eagerly anticipates the Graduation Ceremony that marks the end of 12 years of school education and the beginning of their tertiary education and careers; in short, journeying in to life as a young adult.
The Advanced Level students of Royal Institute International School Nugegoda, had the exact same vision; A graduation ceremony. A group of proactive students decided that they want to leave an indelible mark in the history of school, and so they went about preparing and organising their graduation ceremony. Cheryl Pasker, President of the Graduation Ceremony organising committee said “we did not want to just leave school after finishing our exams, we wanted to celebrate our passing out from school. We realised that most other schools had a 
graduation ceremony and we thought it was time that we should have one as well. So that was how it all started”. The students then set about forming the Graduation Ceremony Organising Committee with assigned roles, and seeking permission from the school management who assigned them with teachers who would guide them in the preparations. Finally, their vision became a reality on Saturday the 13th of July as 51 proud students took to the stage, in their graduation cloaks, at the auditorium of the Royal Institute International School in Maharagama.
So when exactly did all this preparations begin? “In July of 2012. After we completed our Advanced Subsidiary Level exams it dawned on us that this was now our last year of school, that was when we thought of having a graduation ceremony. We planned and prepared everything before our Advanced Level lessons began so that the event preparation did not distract us and during the entire year we focussed completely on our studies. Then once our Advanced Level exams finished on the 10th of June 2013, and we 
got right back to planning the graduation” said Cheryl. The committee conducted fund-raising activities such as a car wash and a food fiesta, for which they received a tremendous support from their colleagues and school mates. The Graduation Ceremony Organising Committee consisted of Cheryl Pasker – President, Githmi Jayathilaka – Vice President, Nipuni Gamage – Secretary, Gimhani Wickremasinghe – Chief Planner, and Sewwandi Doranegama – Fund Raising Coordinator. The teachers in charge of the committee – Mr. Nuwan Rathnayake, Mrs. Ruby Solomon, and Mrs. Mekala Gamage.
Speaking further on the graduation ceremony Cheryl said “we wanted to share this beautiful event with the rest of the school as well, and we hosted an audition for student performances at the graduation ceremony. The teachers and the Graduation Ceremony Organising Committee mutually agreed 
on the selection of the performers, who did a great job on the day of the event”. The sustainability of the Graduation Ceremony Organising Committee was thought of as well, with teachers selecting four students to lead the preparations for the next year.
The Graduation Ceremony Organising Committee are grateful for all the help, advice and support they received and said “We need to thank Mr. G. T. Bandara – Chariman of Royal Institute, Mr. Hasalaka Arampola – Principal of Royal Institute International School Nugegoda, the teachers in charge, Mrs. Abeyratne – School Director of Administration, Nevanka Jayathilaka – Deputy Head Prefect, and Minura who 
coordinated the music for the ceremony, Amavi and Yasara – the presenters, all the musical performers and dancers, the prefects as well as the school eastern band and the students who volunteered to make this event a huge success and of course our wonderful parents who helped us beyond measure”.
This is a success story of a group of determined students, who envisioned a great opportunity and were proactive in making that dream and vision a reality, not just for them but also for the future generations. This proves that anything is possible if you make a genuine effort and work together as a team. We wish the Royal Institute International School Class of 2013 a bright future!
Joanne Kotelawala.
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