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Opposite the entrance to Gustavia harbor, the square in front of the Hôtel de la Collectivité Territoriale was invaded in the early evening of Friday July 25. The dense crowd was made up mainly of families who had come to attend the gratification ceremony for young graduates organized each year by the Collectivité. This year, no fewer than 71 children from the island were honored. All of them have obtained a baccalauréat, a certificat d'aptitude professionnel, a brevet de technicien supérieur or a high school diploma, at university or a grande école.
On stage, in the absence of President Xavier Lédée, 2nd Vice-President Francius Matignon, also Chairman of the School Affairs Committee, officiated as Master of Ceremonies. He declared: "Today, we pay tribute to your work. Regardless of the diploma you have obtained, you have taken an essential step towards achieving your ambitions. Each diploma here represents much more than hours of lessons and exams. It represents sacrifice, sometimes doubt, but above all determination. And that determination will follow you in everything you do. Through you, our youth is rising. You are not just this year's graduates, you are the builders of tomorrow's Saint-Barthélemy. "As the speeches unfolded on stage, the audience's attention waned, making it impossible to hear the speeches of one elected official after another at the microphone. From Mélissa Lake to Alexandra Questel to Jérémy Laplace, President of the Chambre économique multiprofessionnelle (Cem). Families are waiting for just one thing: the young graduates to take to the stage.
Aurélia, 17, future Efap student
The 71 students honored are not all here. Some are on vacation elsewhere, while others are already working. However, those who were able to attend appreciate the recognition shown by the Collectivité. This is particularly true of 17-year-old Aurélia Questel Peronne. I was in Loches, France, at the Lycée Saint-Denis International School," explains the teenager. Next year, I'm off to Montpellier to study communications and marketing at Efap (École française des attachés de presse or école des nouveaux métiers de la communication, editor's note). In my economics and social sciences class, we had projects such as website design, which really interested me. I'm very happy to be here tonight, happy for what the Collectivité has been able to give me since I was a child. I think it's a reward for them to see that we've made it this far, and for me in terms of the work I've put in. "
Manoa, 21, Staps graduate
Elegant and relaxed, Manoa Brochant walks confidently towards the arbour under which the Cem team hands each graduate a small parcel filled with a few presents. At the age of 21, Manoa has just graduated from Guadeloupe with a Staps (sciences and techniques of physical and sports activities) degree, specializing in education and motor skills. I want to become a sports teacher," she explains. So next year I'm continuing with a Master's degree so that I can work in secondary schools. I spent my whole childhood in Saint-Barth. I went back and forth all the time and ended up continuing my studies in Guadeloupe. It's great that the Collectivité can organize an evening like this. I think it's incredible to be able to reward us for our work. It's motivating for the future! I'd like to come here and be a sports teacher. "
Thomas, 20, future master of home automation
Thomas Roussel left Saint-Barthélemy in ninth grade to take a vocational baccalaureate in electricity and connected environments (Melec), in Saint-Laurent-sur-Sèvre, Vendée. At the same time, I was able to take part in a competition to become France's best apprentice," says the young man. Two years ago, I was awarded a medal by the Collectivité. I then went on to take a BTS Fed, which stands for Flux d'énergie et domotique, in Angers. Next year, I'm continuing in Nantes with a work-study professional degree in home automation. Tonight, it's great to be rewarded for our efforts and studies. We're doing it with the help of the Collectivité. We can't do them in Saint-Barth, we have to go far away from our family, so it's enriching. I still want to travel a lot, especially to speak better English, because that's important if you want to come back and work on the island. "
Sélya, 17, soon on the Cimme
Sélya Morice is about to start a vocational diploma in welding and assembly in Canada, in Montreal, at Cimme. "The Integrated Center for Mechanics, Metallurgy and Electricity," says the teenager confidently, who appreciates being honored by the Collectivité. "It's always nice to be rewarded for our years of work," she admits. On the other hand, getting up on stage in front of such a large audience is not her cup of tea. But for one obvious reason. Because I was all alone," she smiles. Then, fortunately, someone else came along! "
Emma, 18, future nurse
Emma Revello will be starting nursing school in Bordeaux next fall. Aged 18, she spent her childhood in Saint-Barthélemy before having to leave, like all her classmates, after the third year of secondary school. Now she's back for the vacations, spending time with family and friends. Like the other graduates rewarded by the Collectivité, she is not insensitive to the institution's gesture of recognition. "It's a pleasure, it's a reward for our progress," she says shyly, before posing alongside her father, Christophe, whose broad smile illustrates her sense of pride.
The crowd is now sparser. The ceremony is drawing to a close. A wonderful evening for all those who have worked hard to obtain their diploma.
