It is a tradition in Jesuit schools to honor as Student of the Year the student who best demonstrates excellence. The Student of the Year is recognized during Commencement Exercises as a student:
- Who works to the best of his/her ability and shows an eagerness to learn;
- Who participates in school activities according to his/her interests and talents;
- Who recognizes the need for God in his/her life;
- Who is compassionate and generous;
- Whose high ideals and goals motivate his/her attitudes and his/her actions on campus, at home and in the community so that he/she is seen to be a person whose presence in this world reflects the love of God for mankind.
Junior College
Extension
High School
Jaime Burgos is a second-year Natural Science student majoring in Math and Physics. He is an honor student who currently holds a GPA of 3.74. He is very much involved in school life and has participated in many school activities such as student debates, student leadership workshops, orientation, recruitment and other educational activities on campus. He served as editor of the student newspaper Verbatim and was also a member of the Student Council and the Science department captain for one year. He assisted with many sporting activities on campus and participated in campus cleanups and community service projects, showing impressive leadership qualities. We believe Mr. Burgos embodies what we hope all our graduates will be: well disciplined, proactive and fully engaged in all aspects of life, and committed to social service and justice for others. It is for these and many other qualities and achievements that we accord Mr. Burgos the honor of being Student of the Year 2009-2010.
Diana Carrillo is a first-year Natural Science student who not only has excelled academically but has involved herself in many areas of student life. She participated in many school activities and currently is an honor student with a GPA of 3.24. She is a member of Campus Ministry, the BIONIC club, and the Student Council. Ms. Carrillo is also involved in sports and was a member of the school’s volleyball team, which was this year’s National Champion. She was also a recipient of a Landivar Scholarship for 2009-2010. Ms. Carrillo is a student who has shown respect for herself and others and dedication to her goals. Despite personal challenges and tragedies she has proven herself to be the embodiment of the ideal that our Jesuit heritage has long held in highest regard: “men and women for others”. Ms. Carrillo has demonstrated, time and again, the drive for excellence that mediocrity can never overcome. It is for these and many other qualities and achievements that we announce her as the 2009-2010 first-year Student of the Year Award recipient.
Ernest Dominguez was enrolled in Infant I of Queen Square Anglican School in 1975 and graduated in 1983. He then went on to Anglican Cathedral College where he studied for two years but was forced to withdraw due to financial constraints.
In 1985 he enrolled at the Vocational Training School where he did a two-year course in Masonry and graduated in 1987.
He entered the workforce first doing odd jobs like lawn mowing then progressed to working for various organizations as well as volunteering in the Belize Defense Force. He was able to assist with school expenses for his three younger siblings until they completed their High School education.
In 1992 he became a full-time employee of the Belize National Fire Service as a firefighter. His determination and work training allowed him to rise to the position of sub-station officer. He often takes time out of his busy schedule to speak to children about fire prevention and to conduct fire drills with students.
As an Anglican, he practices his religion and encourages his family to do so. He has a close relationship with his children. His advice to them is to stay in school and get a sound education. In order to lead by example, as well as to benefit his career, he decided after almost seventeen years to complete his high school education.
In 2003, he enrolled at SJC Extension, where he completed Second Year. He was unexpectedly transferred to work in another district for four years. Upon returning to Belize City in 2009, he grasped the opportunity to return to school to complete his high school equivalency studies.
Ernest is well liked by his classmates. He can often be seen assisting students who have difficulty, especially in mathematics. His humility, dedication and commitment to his studies make him deserving of this award.
Perry Diaz from form 1B has been chosen as Student of the Year for Form 1 because he exemplifies the criteria for Student of the Year very well. He is intelligent, helpful and eager to cooperate with teachers. His class mates know they can depend on Perry for help, and that he will show them the correct example, a very difficult thing to do in today’s world. His friends say he is ambitious, respectable and willing to assist; his teachers think he is bound for success and will be a shining light for the SJC students of the future. Perry Diaz truly exemplifies what the ideal student at SJC ought to achieve and the meaning of the motto, Men for Others.
Ishmael Vasquez from Form 2B was chosen because he fit the criteria for Student of the Year so well. Students in his year level attest that he works to the best of his ability in academics; he participates in school activities by helping in the class and attending sports events and being a member of the school drama team. Indeed, he has participated in several presentations representing the school as a member of the drama team. He shows respect for his teachers and classmates during and between classes, as well as he displays honesty and compassion in how he treats others. As a prefect, Ishmael has been cooperative, helpful and dedicated. He is a bastion of stability for his friends; where they want to play and have fun, he helps anchor them to solid behaviour and good modals. Ishmael also helps, encourages and supports others in academics, cooperating with teachers and trying his best to make his classmates produce their best. Everyone also agrees that Ishmael is motivated and driven by a desire to be and do the best at SJC. He wants success and is willing to work hard for it, but he also realizes he has to help other people along the way.
Kristoff Nicholson of Form 3E was chosen as the Student of the Year for third form. Academically, he works hard and is very consistent in his performance. Teachers state they can depend on his work and effort, and they know he gives it his best. In terms of his participation in school, few students continue to contribute more than Kristoff. He shows up for school activities and volunteers his time for practically all events concerning school, academic or sportive. As Head Prefect this year, many students can remember him standing at the office door insisting that they get their proper documentation for lateness. But he was also a Peer Helper, and a director of the Interact Club, because participation in school seems a strong point for Kristoff- he gives his all for SJC. He is also respectful, responsible, dedicated and upholds high standards; Kristoff is not afraid to try to make his peers put on their best behavior, as he helps monitor the first formers during break. He is always there for his classmates, and is a good friend to lean on. He cares for and shows a high regard for all that approach him, adult or student; he gives of himself for others, true to our school motto, Men for Others. He is a leader- he sets an example, disciplines himself and tries to do so for others. Kristoff Nicholson epitomizes the SJC motto, Men for Others.
Dorien Villafranco of form 4C is our Student of the Year for Form 4. Academically, Dorien shows much intelligence and works very hard. He produces excellent results, as can be demonstrated by his academic records over the four years at SJC. Dorien gives of himself for the success of the school with no holding back whether it is the Math Club and Olympiad team as they went to nationals this year, or as member of the Student Government, where he was Vice-President of the Student Council; he also remains very involved in his class in trying to achieve academic excellence. Teachers and students that know him well also attest to Dorien’s fulfilling of the best Jesuit principles. He is polite, well mannered and respectful; he helps his peers with their school work and is an overall good friend. He is humble, never trying to boast about his academic prowess and success; he is also compassionate with friends and peers. Dorien may be described as an ambitious student who knows how to balance his school responsibilities with his social life, a student who is a true example of the motto Men for Others. We are proud at SJC to honor him with this award and show him to the world as an example of achievement at SJC.
