By Enoch Jebeth, Salesian Educator

Gabutu, Port Moresby PNG, 17 November 2023 -- Dressed in their finest-looking outfits and suits young men and ladies celebrated a milestone in their lives, their graduation. 382 students walked into the Kurungku hall to participate in the 26th graduation for Grade 12 and the Industrial Training Course. It was also the 22nd Graduation ceremony for the Employment Oriented Skills Development Training.

Distinguished members and guests present for the occasion were: Fr. Gregory Bicomong SDB, Provincial of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands; Fr. Pedro Sachitula SDB Rector of Don Bosco Technical School; priests, sisters, parents, benefactors and invited guests. Remington Technology, Total Energies EP PNG, ODG, Able Computing, TE PNG, Vision Mechanical and Electrical Limited and Hilton Hotel, presented scholarships and gave awards to the most outstanding students.

The program began with the singing of the National Anthem and the recitation of the National Pledge lead by Bon Baim, head boy, while a prayer was led by Gabriel Alois, the school vice head boy. Mr. Leo Paraha and Ms. Miller Aua, our two Salesian educators were the master and mistress of the ceremony.

In his opening remarks Fr. Pedro welcomed the people and thanked the guests and benefactors for their support. Fr. Gregory then explained the year’s graduation theme: “As yeast in today’s human family”. He reminded the graduates saying, “You are not just a graduate, you are a Bosconian graduate so go out and influence people’s lives as a yeast in the dough”.

In his keynote address, Mr. Christopher Membung, Remington Technology Group Human Resource Manager thanked the school and the spirit of Don Bosco for challenging everyone especially the graduates to identify the purpose of their lives and impact the world positively.

Academic awards were given to the students who has performed extremely well in the academic subjects, the technical awards, were given to students who has performed well in their trades and the special awards were given to students who excelled in their character and deportment.

Remington Technology company is long time sponsor of the school give the awards to the top performing student this year. This year the award went to Anthony Leka, a Year 12 student. He thanked the Salesians, Salesian educators, parents, and benefactors for their continuous support. The closing remarks was given by Mr. Martin Dai, the Principal.

With gratitude and thanksgiving, the graduates sang, “A million dreams” and the “Alma Mater” song. The graduation concluded with photographs and lunch.

A day earlier, Fr Pedro Sachitula and Fr Ambrose Pereira, celebrated a thanksgiving Eucharist for the graduates and all the students of the school. The Eucharist opened with an inspiring and informative drama by students led by Fr. Ambrose Pereira. They informed the student body about the agony youths are facing today. They touched on the issues of social media, love, confusion in the choices they make and on addictions. The Manus students dressed in their traditional attires did the entrance singsing, as they danced to the rhythm of the Garamut. The choir was led by Mr Vincent Numbos, and the beautiful decoration and colorful lightings that created an atmosphere of reflection and meditation was designed by Ms Joanna Eko.

Filled with joy and optimism, the graduates go out thanking the Lord for their lives and are ready to put into practice what they have learnt.

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