Lyford Cay International School's (LCIS) graduates were told to learn from their life's failures as they finished up their high school years.
The small graduating class of 10 heard from fellow LCIS alumni, Barbara Ann Bernard, who told them that to her, failure is when she has fallen short of her own expectations for herself.
"Failure is personal," said Bernard. "It's when I deem that I have fallen short of my own expectations for myself. It's when we feel that we have let ourselves down. And as long as we can make failure our teacher, and not our undertaker, we're making progress."
Bernard, the 2012 Ironman XC Executive Challenge Women's Athlete of the Year, along with her cousin Win Charles, who was born with cerebral palsy and severe scoliosis, teamed up to compete in triathlons, under the name Team weWin. Their goal is to set a world record as the first female team to cross an Ironman finish line, and in the process, help raise funds and awareness for the Challenged Athletes Foundation.
The Kona Ironman is recognized as one of the toughest physical challenges in the world. Bernard aspired to swim the 2.4-mile Waikiki Roughwater Swim pulling Charles in an inflatable boat, bike 112 miles around Oahu, Hawaii, with Charles in a recumbent bike attached to hers and then run the 26.2-mile Honolulu Marathon pushing Charles in a wheelchair, all in a single continuous event. The Kona Inspired program provides race entry for teams with inspirational stories, selected by a public vote.
"I failed spectacularly with 40,000 votes and NBC filming from a hovering helicopters, Team weWin fell short of a record at the World Championship of the sport, and it's still okay," said Bernard. "In fact, it was a really fun journey, and I'm here tonight to tell the story. Failure isn't fatal. It also isn't final."
Bernard and Charles will again be racing for that record on September 22.
Even though Team weWin had failed in their Ironman quest in Hawaii, they had already proven they had what it took to compete in professional triathlons. In April 2013 they competed in the St. Anthony's Triathlon in Florida, in less than four hours. They were the first two women, one of whom is disabled, to attempt and finish the race.
LCIS principal, Stacey Bobo in her address to the graduates at the ceremony held at the British Colonial Hilton Hotel told them that the diplomas they received should not be thought of as a reward, but rather, a commitment to continue the life-long process of learning.
"The habits of mind that you have learned at Lyford Cay International School should now be forged into that special compound we call excellence," said Bobo. And she told them that excellence is the antidote to apathy and idleness and forms the basis of ethical behavior.
"It is key to living a rich and meaningful life, to achieving self-actualization," said the principal.
Davina Adderley, who served as head girl and head of student council was named the valedictorian. She will further her education at the University of Richmond, having earned a full scholarship valued at over $250,000.
Edouard Candiotti, who was named the salutatorian will further his education at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland where he will study International Affairs.
LCIS also recognized members of the graduating class who attended LCIS for all of their academic lives, and are known affectionately as "Lyford Lyfers". This year's class "Lyfer" was LeeAnn Azzara. She was recognized for her 14 years at LCIS.
Previous "Lyford Lyfers" included, Gerrick Farquharson, Class of 2013; Francesca Curry, Daniel Jennings, Marisa Maura, Class of 2012; Samuel Jennings, Class of 2011; Alexis Roberts, Class of 2010; Jordan Kemp, Fritz Stubbs, Natascha Vazquez, Class of 2008 and Eduardo Vazquez, Class of 2006.
Lyford Cay International School's Class of 2014:
LCIS Valedictorian 2014, Davina Adderley: Davina has been a student at LCIS since August 2011. She has served as head girl and head of student council. She has earned the Governor General Youth Award (GGYA) Silver Medal, been a delegate for the Bahamian, Boston and McGill Model UN, and was head delegate and student leader for the Speech and Debate Club.
Davina has been a student coordinator and member of the Stephen Dillet Enrichment Program for three years, as well as group leader for the Elementary Lunchtime Helper's program. She played on the LCIS Dragons Volleyball Team for three years, was a historian and a member of the Interact Club, participated as a dancer and clarinet player for the LCIS Junkanoo Group and was a leader of the LCIS Sizzler's Step Team.
She will be studying Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Richmond having earned a full scholarship valued at over $250,000.
LCIS Salutatorian 2014, Edouard Candiotti: Edouard has been attending LCIS since August 2010. He has been an active member of the LCIS Dragons Football Team, the Rugby Team and has participated in international sports, the Interact Club, The Eco Club and The Investment Club. Edouard has served as head boy and student council member. While at LCIS he earned his GGYA Bronze Medal.
LeeAnn Azzara: LeeAnn is a Lyford Lyfer. She has spent her entire academic life at LCIS. She entered nursery in 2000. LeeAnn has been the secretary and a member of the student council. She played football with the LCIS Dragons for four years and was a member of the Investment Club, the Stephen Dillet Enrichment Program and a Student Coordinator. LeeAnn is headed to Florida State University to study Civil Engineering.
Donique Adderley: Donique entered 10th grade at LCIS in 2011. She has served as a group leader and member of the Stephen Dillet Enrichment Program, the Elementary Lunchtime Helpers, the Junkanoo Club Cowbell Division, and the Sizzlers Step Club. Donique has been a member of the International Sports Club, the International Dance Club, the Interact Club, and the Basketball Co-Curricular. She was also a student helper with the ELC Art Club. Donique will be studying Health Science at Pace University.
Charlotte Frey: Charlotte has been attending LCIS since 2004 when she entered in third grade. She was a member of the LCIS Dragons Football Team for three years and participated in the Stephen Dillet Enrichment Program for two years. Charlotte was an Interact Club member and has earned her GGYA Bronze Medal. She will continue her education at Ecole Hoteliere Lausanne in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Erika Kleijn: Erika has been attending LCIS since second grade. She is a long-serving member of the LCIS Dragons Swim Team and played Volleyball and participated in the Fitness Club. She was a member of the Stephen Dillet Enrichment Program and the Interact Club. Erika has earned her GGYA Bronze Medal. She will be studying art history and business at Amsterdam University College.
Kasia McCartney: Kasia joined LCIS in eighth grade and has been a member of the Interact Club and the Stephen Dillet Enrichment Program. She was a member of the LCIS Dragons Football team and assisted as a LCIS soccer coach. Kasia was a Model United Nations delegate and student council member, as well as an active member of the volleyball and rowing teams. She will work towards achieving her Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences at Dalhousie University, Canada
Sasha Pyfrom: Sasha came to LCIS in kindergarten. She has served as an 11th grade class representative, Interact Club member and a member of the Stephen Dillet Enrichment Program. Sasha played on the LCIS Dragons Football Team and participated as a free dancer in Jr. Junkanoo. In 2012, Sasha was awarded the High School Art Award. Sasha will be studying Business Marketing Management at Oxford Brookes in the United Kingdom.
Pierre Knowles: Pierre entered LCIS mid way through his ninth grade year. He has been a member of the Interact Club, the Drama Club, and the Yearbook Club and has earned the GGYA Bronze Medal. Pierre has participated as a football coach, a member of the LCIS Dragons Football, Rugby and Basketball Teams. He has been involved with strength and conditioning, kayaking, international sports, and ultimate frisbee. He was also responsible for crafting costumes for Jr. Junkanoo. Pierre will be attending the University of Westminster where he will study business entrepreneurship.
Emma Hall: Emma began LCIS in eighth grade. She has been a member of the student council and the Interact Club. She was Clifton House Captain for two years and captain of the under-14 Dragons Football and the under-17 Bears Football teams. She represented The Bahamas as a member of The Bahamas national under-14 football team. Emma rushed with the LCIS Junkanoo Group, winners of the 2013 Jr. Junkanoo Competition. She placed second and was awarded the photogenic award and the social media excellence Award in the 2013 BTC Starmaker Competition. Emma will be attending Barry University of Miami Shores in the fall.
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