Traditionally, twelfth-grade students starting their senior year come into their classrooms loaded with projects and illusions. For them it will be their last tournament, their last play, their last concert, and taking their entrance exams to universities; in short, their experiences within a community that has welcomed them and promoted the future that every young person deserves. However, for the Class of 2021 many of those experiences were reduced to a small square on a computer screen and with admirable determination, they have culminated their long-awaited “Senior” year.
Despite the difficult challenges faced by Baldwin’s Graduating Class of 2021, their academic achievements were exceptional. "The students deserve to be recognized for their motivation, effort, and commitment during these past two years in the IB Diploma Program, and for their excellent achievements and acceptances to universities of great national and international prestige." said Laura Maristany, director of the IB Diploma Program and Director of Curriculum. “Graduating is an achievement in any circumstance, but there is no doubt that these students and their teachers faced an unprecedented situation and, although in a virtual way, they maintained the enthusiasm and dedication necessary to fully comply with the demands of this rigorous Program."
“Our graduating class faced never-before-seen challenges applying to college, overcoming the difficulties of distance education, multiple cancellations of college entrance exams, and the uncertainty caused by COVID-19. Their perseverance and positivity is an inspiration to everyone, ”says Celeste Surís-Rosselli, Director of College Counseling.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is a two-year program that offers an internationally accepted certification for access to higher education, the IB diploma is currently accepted in 75 countries and more than 2,000 universities. This program is recognized for the way it challenges students in a variety of areas and offers them opportunities to develop disciplinary as well as interdisciplinary understanding.
In addition to their academic achievements, we must recognize the resilience of these young people who have lived through experiences of hurricanes, earthquakes, and a pandemic and who, despite this, maintain firm goals and continue with their plans to attend prestigious universities. We should also highlight that students: Alejandra Lozada-Santana and Sofía Meléndez, were recognized as candidates for the U.S Presidential Scholar award, for their great academic performance and commitment to community service. At the end of the academic year, Alejandra Lozada-Santana was selected as a US Presidential Scholar for Puerto Rico and will receive a special tribute on behalf of President Joseph R. Biden. Alejandra, along with 160 exceptional twelfth-grade students from all states and territories, will be part of the 57th class of Presidential Scholars. Our institution, its parents, teachers, and friends are deeply proud of the courage and success with which the Class of 2021 culminates its high school.