St. Dominic High School IB Class of 2026 Pinning Ceremony

SINT MAARTEN (SOUTH REWARD) – St. Dominic High School proudly honored its International Baccalaureate (IB) Class of 2026 students during its annual IB Pinning Ceremony, a special event recognizing the achievements of students who have successfully completed the rigorous two-year IB Diploma Programme and their final examinations. The theme for the evening was ‘Every Piece Counts: Celebrating our Differences’.

The ceremony brought together the IB Class of 2026, their families and friends, representatives of Foundation Catholic Education, IB teachers and staff, and prospective IB students for an evening of celebration, reflection, and recognition. The event marked an important milestone in the academic journey of the graduating class and highlighted the perseverance, dedication, and commitment required to successfully navigate the  programme.

The IB Pinning Ceremony serves as a celebration of academic excellence, personal growth, leadership, and service. Throughout the evening, students were recognized for outstanding achievement in various areas of the IB experience through the awarding of honor cords representing excellence in academics, leadership, service, and character.

Students were recognized through the awarding of honor cords for excellence in various aspects of the IB experience. The Teal Honor Cord recognized the timely completion of all IB Core requirements, while the Yellow Honor Cord honored students who earned more than 30 points on their mock examinations. Among these students, Adio Williams achieved the highest mock examination score with an impressive 36 points.

The Green Honor Cord recognized students who embodied the attributes of the IB Learner Profile, the Black Honor Cord honored outstanding leadership within the school community, and the Purple Honor Cord recognized students who actively mentored and supported their peers throughout their IB journey.

Two students, Dishita Babani and Enhua Wu, achieved the rare distinction of earning all five honor cords presented during the ceremony. Their accomplishments reflect outstanding performance across academics, leadership, service, and mentorship, as well as a strong commitment to the core values of the International Baccalaureate Programme. They exemplify international-mindedness, inquiry, intercultural understanding and respect, along with a dedication to contributing to a more peaceful world through education. Their success also highlights the programme’s focus on holistic development, encompassing intellectual, personal, emotional, and social growth.

In addition to the honor cord presentations, several students received special awards in recognition of their contributions to school activities, service initiatives, leadership efforts, academic achievement, and their overall commitment to the values and ideals of the International Baccalaureate Programme.

The evening was further enriched by performances from members of the IB Year 1 cohort, whose talents and enthusiasm added a celebratory spirit to the occasion. Attendees were also inspired by heartfelt and encouraging addresses delivered by Ms. Marie Richardson, School Liaison, and Mrs. Gisella Reijna-Hilliman, IB Coordinator, both of whom reflected on the graduates’ growth, resilience, and achievements throughout their IB journey. The ceremony also featured a parent address by Mrs. Reena Vaswani and Mr. Ronny Vaswani, whose unique perspective was especially meaningful, having supported two children through the IB Diploma Programme in different graduating years.

The success of the event was largely due to the dedication and leadership of Ms. Sandra Givans, Homeroom Teacher, who conceptualized and coordinated a programme that celebrated the achievements of the graduating class. The school also recognizes the valuable contributions of the many IB year 1 and Year 2 students who assisted behind the scenes with planning, designing invitations and programmes, preparing slideshows, and volunteering in various capacities throughout the event.

As the graduates prepare to embark on the next chapter of their academic and professional journeys, the St. Dominic High School community extends its heartfelt congratulations and best wishes. The school remains proud of their accomplishments and confident that they will continue to exemplify the values of the International Baccalaureate Programme as future leaders, scholars, and global citizens.

For more information on the IB Diploma Programme, visit the school’s website at www.stdominichigh.org