American School of Marrakesh Class of 2009 Graduation, in Photos
The American School of Marrakesh, Morocco
The American School of Marrakesh held its second graduation ceremony ever on June 16, 2009. Unlike last year’s 2008 ceremony, which was held on the front lawn, this year’s ceremony was held indoors in the Pierre Berger Assembly Hall due to rain.
Eighth-Grade Graduates' Processional
Eighth-Grade Graduates' Processional
Eighth-Grade Graduates' Processional
Eighth Grade Graduates' Processional
The ceremony included both Eighth-Grade and Twelfth-Grade graduates, as well as prize winners from the entire school.
Twelfth-Grade Graduates' Processional
Following the processional, and after opening remarks by Barbara Temsamani, prizes were awarded to the elementary students.
Hiba Benkye Received the Audrey Riffi Prize, Directly from AudreyRiffi
The incoming headmaster, Dr. Bryan Keith Lewallen, stood and made some remarks. He told the graduates, “Each of you in this school will be successful.“ He read a famous poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson:
Success
To laugh often and much to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Dr. Bryan Keith Lewallen, Incoming Headmaster at The American School of Marrakesh
Dr. Lewallen went on to indicate that he is planning a long stay in Marrakesh. He turned to the Eighth-Grade graduates and said, “We’re going to spend the next four years together, so get ready!”
Diplomas were awarded to the Eighth Grade.
Graduating Senior Yousser Amhal
Graduating senior Yousser Amhal made a speech. Yousser pointed out he did not join the school until secondary school. He said he found two things in particular to remark upon: 1) the warm hospitality of the students in welcoming him in to the school, and 2) the friendly relationship between students and teachers. Yousser also recalled a well-loved former history professor, Mr. Oscar Ramos. Yousser said that the day Mr. Ramos left the school was the only time he ever saw two of his classmates cry. Yousser’s closing remarks were, “We’ve been through a lot together, and now we will part to follow our own paths.” He added, “If we’ve made it through ASM alive, we can make it through anything.”
Nouhaila Chelkhaoui Received an Award
Prizes were awarded to the upper school.
A longer address was given to the graduating seniors by Robert P. Jackson, the Deputy Chief of Mission from the U.S. Embassy to the Kingdom of Morocco.
Robert P. Jackson, Giving the Commencement Address to the Graduates
Mr. Jackson offered various tidbits of accumulated wisdom from various sources. The first piece of wisdom was from Robert Fulgham’s All I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten: “Share everything. Play fair. Don’t hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don’t take things that aren’t yours. Say you’re sorry when you hurt someone. Wash your hands before you eat. Flush. Take a nap every afternoon. When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic; hold hands, and stick together. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Learn some, think some; draw, paint, sing, and dance; play and work every day SOME.”
ASM Graduates Listening to Commencement Address
Mr. Jackson continued to speak of kindergarten as a time of limitless possibilities, of boundless optimism; a time when you can still be whatever you want, do whatever you want–the kindergarten future of being an astronaut, undersea explorer, or a professional Ninja. He pointed out that graduation from high school is similar with all these possibilities still before you. . He encouraged the graduates to follow their own paths, regardless of what others think. He advised the graduates to embrace failure, as we all learn more from our mistakes than from our successes. He quoted American President Teddy Roosevelt, who said, “The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who does nothing!“ Mr. Jackson added, “Eighty percent of life is just showing up.”
Graduate Malika Layadi
Mr. Jackson pointed out, “School is something you complete. Life is something you experience.” He told the graduates, “Love what you do. Get good at it. Competence is a rare commodity in this day and age.“ He added,” Your effort is important. Your peers, professors, and future employers will respect you for your effort, regardless of the results.“
Mr. Jackson’s advice to the Facebook Generation in our current time of constant distcractions was, “Next time you read a book JUST read. Next time you listen to music, JUST listen…be in the present moment, and you’ll appreciate it more.”
Graduate Jaafar El Baroudi
Mr. Jackson told the graduates that their entire life has been a “model United Nations.” The American School of Marrakesh has seen both teachers and students of numerous nationalities and religions. He pointed out that these experiences have opened the students’ minds and hearts. Students and the school have embraced tolerance, because they have lived it. He said, “Your experiences in this school make you all cultural ambassadors to the world. Wherever you are coming from, and wherever you are going, as a result of your experiences here, you’ll be natural leaders in this world of globalization.”
Mr. Jackson finished his commencement address by saying, “This may seem like an ending, but it is just a beginning.”
Alaa El Boudali Receives his Diploma from Dr. Bryan Lewallen
Diplomas were awarded to the Upper School Graduating Seniors.
Stephen Eastman, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the American School of Marrakesh, Morocco
The final speaker was Stephen Eastman, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Eastman kept his remarks short, and made four major points, highlighting “the best of what I’ve learned in30 years.”
1) Find something you are passionate about.
2) Whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability. Don’t just try to “get by.” Put your whole heart and soul into everything you do.
3) Find a way to give back to your community. Try to do some good. Volunteer to help the needy, or those less fortunate than yourselves. Small gestures by you can make all the difference in someone’s life.
4) Be KIND to your friends, your family, and your co-workers. It’s easier to be critical than to be patient and constructive. Always strive to be your best self, no matter how difficult.
Following Stephen Eastman’s speech, the graduates threw their caps, and after retrieving them, filed out in the recessional.
Graduating Seniors Ahmed El Berdai and Yasmina Aboufirass
Graduate Jamal Eddine El Aaidi
–Madame Monet, in Marrakesh
Tags: Adam Chtouki, Ahmed el Berdai, Alaa El Boudali, Ali El Guernaoui, Ali Sekkat, American School of Marrakech, Audrey Riffi, Ayoub El Abdi, Dr. Bryan Keith Lewallen, El Yazid Boucetta, Eyton Ohayon, Fahd Ben Abbes Taarji, Fatima Zahra El Hammami, Felix naldi, Ghita El Alaoui, Ghita Sadoq, Hiba Benkye, Hilana Alouani Bibi, Imam Slaoui, Jaafar el Baroudi, Jamal Eddine el Aaidi, Karim El Korchi, Kevin Tortoa, Luobaba Ben Salem, Malika Layadi, Margaux Marie Schilttz, Moulay Abbes El Alaoui, Nouhaila Chelkhaoui, Oscar Ramos, Othmane Sekkat, Robert P. Jackson, Sara Benchaou, Sawsane el Amiri, Stephen Eastman, Taoufik Khalfi, the American School of Marrakech, The American School of Marrakech Graduation, Yasmina Aboufirass, Yazid Abari, Yousser Amhal
You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
November 3, 2009 at 9:50 pm
I wonder if I may ask your help. My family will be visiting Marrakesh next week and we are looking for a piano which my daughter could practice on for an hour a day. Her piano exams will be shortly after her return. Would you possibly have a piano which she could use or know of a piano that is available for use? I will be happy to pay for the use of it.
Thank you very much for your attention.
Elizabeth McLaughlin
Elizabeth, I’m sorry I don’t know of anyone who has a piano here in Marrakesh. I do know that on Avenue Sidi Abbad there is a music acadamy, but I don’t know the name or address of the place.