By Enoch Jebeth, Salesian Educator

Gabutu, Port Moresby PNG, 17 November 2023 -- Dressed in their finest-looking outfits and suits young men and women celebrated a milestone in their lives, their graduation. 382 students walked into the Kurungu 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 included Fr Gregory Bicomong SDB, Superior 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, Abel 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 National Anthem and the National Pledge led by Bon Baim, head boy, while a prayer was said 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 Strenna “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 as performed extremely well in the academic subjects, the technical awards, were given to students who as performed well in their trades and the special awards were given to students who excelled in their character and deportment.

Remington Technology company is a long time sponsor of the school giving the awards to the top performing student this year. This year the award went to Anthony Laka, a Year 12 student. He thanked the Salesians, Salesian educators, parents, and benefactors for their continuous support. The closing remarks were 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 snacks.

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 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 went out thanking the Lord for their lives and the received. They strive to put what they have learnt into practice.

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