Qatar Academy Doha (QAD), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2018 at a ceremony at the Qatar National Convention Centre recently.
The evening saw the graduation of 89 boys and girls, 40 of whom are Qataris. The students join more than 953 graduates from QAD, established in 1996.
The event was attended by a number of VIP guests, public figures, QF department heads as well as QAD board members, school administrators, faculty, and parents.
Don Macintyre, QAD director, said, “We come together on this special occasion to honour the hard work and dedication that has resulted in another 100% graduation rate for our senior class.”
“We often speak about what the future holds and how high school graduation is the beginning of your crossing to adulthood and future success. This can sometimes mean that we forget to properly acknowledge the journey you have taken to get to this point, I would suggest that you think carefully about all the people and places that have contributed to your achievement,” he added.
QA alumna Najwa al-Thani, who graduated in 2011, returned as this year’s guest speaker and reflected on her journey, “I’m here to tell you that you were in the real world, but now you will receive your first accreditation of that fact. You still have a long way to go.”
“I ask you all that to honour everyone who has supported you and helped you to get here today, you must commit fully in everything you do. Follow your dreams and passions, and don’t quit until you have achieved greatness and maybe not even then. Also, have the courage to take risks, to dream big,” she added.
The audience also enjoyed a musical collaboration between QAD and Qatar Music Academy.
This year’s valedictorian, Tanya Shibo, said, “More times than one we have felt drained and done, but even more times than that we’ve smiled at our successes. Our high school experience was defined by change, and we are not the same people we were four years ago. We’re older. We’re stronger.”
Eighty-nine students, 40 of whom are Qataris, of QAD graduated at a ceremony held at the Qatar National Convention Centre recently.
