Principal’s Speech: Prof María Teresa Freyre de Escobar

Principal’s Speech: Prof María Teresa Freyre de Escobar
School year 2009-20010

“CLASS OF 2010”
Wednesday , July 21, 2010

Good Morning, 

It is with great pride that I welcome the Board of Directors, distinguished faculty, PTA members, families and friends, but most especially I welcome the young ladies and gentlemen of the graduating class of 2010. This is a wonderful day for all of you and your families.

A graduation ceremony is always such a special occasion – the culmination of years of hard work; the actualization of goals attained and the acknowledgement of successes achieved. So, it is only fitting that this morning we commemorate the road that you have all traveled together these years.

Along the way, you became independent and self-motivated students. Your teachers taught you how to write a research paper, apply the scientific method, and use the Pythagorean Theorem. What I believe they taught you the most was to think creatively, have confidence in yourselves, be responsible individuals, have goals, and have the fortitude to achieve those goals. When your social studies teachers were teaching you about the past, they were opening your eyes to what your future could hold. When your English teachers were teaching you about other people’s writings, they were teaching you how to open your minds and write creatively and effectively. When your math teachers were teaching you about probabilities, they weren’t teaching you the number of times something could fail; they were teaching you that regardless of the circumstances, there is always the chance to succeed. And yes, you have succeeded. 

I am please to say that out of 47 Seniors 24 applied to universities abroad and all have been accepted. They are: Antonio Puzzi: Drexel University, Florida Institute of Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Clarkson University, and Northeastern University, University of South Florida. Gunnar Stenborg: University of Tampa, University of South Florida, Southern Methodist University Luis Ricardo Avila: University of South Florida. Alberto Alcantara: Full Sail University. Federico D’Apuzzo: University of Tampa, Syracuse University, Drexel University.Marijke Nuñez: Savannah College of Arts and Design, San Francisco Arts Institute, Parsons New School of Design, California College of Arts. Eugenio Moleiro: University of Tampa, Full Sail University. Cristina Finol: University of South Florida, and Florida International University, University of Colorado . Farid Mattar: Florida Institute of Technology and University of Tampa., Northeastern University, American University of Beirut Gian Luigi Longinotti: Northeastern University, American University, Bentley University, Babson College. Frank Alcock: Full Sail University Berklee College of Music. Sebastian Benitez: Alberta College of Art and Design, Ontario College of Arts and Design University, Emily Carr University of Arts and Design. Eduardo Cabrera: Full Sail University. Valery Conde: Bentley University, Newbury College, Northeastern University, Bryant University, Penn State University. Angela Chavez: Pennsylvania State University, American University, Northeastern University, Bryant University, and Pace University. Manuel Ermecheo: Alberta College of Art and Design, Ontario College of Arts and Design, Emily Car University of Arts and Design, Nova Scotia University and Cornish University. Adriano Ippolito: Pace University, York University, Bryant University,Universidad Comm Luigi Bocconi da Milano

Alexandra Rios: University of Windsor y Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida Institute of Technology, University of British Columbia, Jacobs University, Loyola University and Marymount University.

Veronica Vallenilla: Marquette University, Lawrence Technological University, Michigan State University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Loyola Marymount University, Jacobs University, Texas Christian University.

Constanza Viera: Bryant University, Bentley University y Northeastern University, Ryerson, Babson College. Alicia Diaz: Pennsylvania State University, Rice University, Wake Forest Universtiy, Fordham University. Daniel Mazziotti: Bryant University, Michigan State University, Penn State University. Daniela Escobar: Parsons School of Design in Paris,. And Silvana Serra: Science Po in Paris.

And now you’ve accomplished something great, honorable and important here at Colegio Jefferson, and it’s time for you to move on to what’s next. But you must not let anything deter you from taking those first steps. You have an abundance of opportunities before you—but don’t spend so much time trying to choose the perfect opportunity, that you miss the right opportunity. Recognize that there will be failures, and acknowledge that there will be obstacles. Success is never final. Failure is never fatal. It is courage that counts.

With the understanding that you will face tough times and amazing experiences, you must also commit to the adventure. Just have faith in the skills and the knowledge you’ve been blessed with and go because regrets are born of paths never taken.

Then, as you start your journey, the first thing you should do is throw away that store-bought map and begin to draw your own. You have a new and fresh perspective with which to view the world. Your time at this school has helped sharpen your sense of discovery, and there is no better catalyst for success than curiosity. Read books. Read websites. Read other people. Circle the pitfalls and highlight the opportunities. Then build a vision of how it could all be better and work to make it happen.

Try never to be the smartest person in the room. And if you are, I suggest you invite smarter people … or find a different room. In professional circles it’s called networking. In organizations it’s called team building. And in life it’s called family, friends, and community. We are all gifts to each other, and my own growth as a principal has shown me again and again that the most rewarding experiences come from my relationships.

And even as you keep traveling the road ahead, you must always remember where you came from. Each of us carries the dust and dreams of the places that helped shape us, and all of us can count our blessings that our path has taken us through Caracas.

Graduates, My fondest wishes go with each and every one of you. Best of luck on this road called life. 

Congratulations and May God Bless you!