Just yesterday, June 7, I stood on a stage I once crossed 31 years ago, only this time, I was holding a microphone, not a diploma. Being invited as the guest speaker at San Pedro High School’s 2025 graduation ceremony was more than an honor. It was a full-circle moment. From graduating in 1994 in a class of just 36 students to standing before this year’s 121 bright young minds, I was filled with pride – not just for the graduates, but for what San Pedro High School has become.
The ceremony was emotional, celebratory, and truly unforgettable. This year marked a significant chapter in the school’s history as we bid farewell to Principal Emil Vasquez, who officially retired after 33 years of service. Principal Vasquez has been a pillar of leadership and progress, only the second person to ever serve in that role, following my late father, Angel Nuñez – the school’s first principal and one of its founders.
To say my father wore many hats is an understatement. He was a teacher, principal, life coach, volleyball and baseball coach, handyman, mentor, friend and a visionary who believed in the power of education to shape a community. Standing there, I couldn’t help but feel his presence and the legacy he left behind – one that Principal Vasquez honored and carried forward with dignity and excellence.
Valedictorian Mikayla Castillo (pictured in headline), Salutatorian Gustavo Ellis Jr. and Vote of Thanks, Elyonie Tillett represented the top scorers of the graduating class.
San Pedro High School Excels
In his final address, Principal Vasquez shared how proud he is of what San Pedro High School has grown into – now one of Belize’s top educational institutions, with enrollment exceeding 700 students. Our students are not just excelling in academics but also making waves in sports and the arts, collecting top national honors and proving that greatness can rise from an island in the Caribbean.
The ceremony itself was beautifully coordinated. Mistresses of Ceremony Samantha Santos and Zsapphirrah Coleman set a graceful tone. Gustavo Ellis Jr. delivered an inspiring Salutatory Address, while Valedictorian Mikayla Castillo left everyone moved with her heartfelt reflections. Elyonie Tillett brought the event to a warm close with the Vote of Thanks, reminding us all how much love, sacrifice, and support it takes to reach this milestone.
Among the traditions that tugged at the heartstrings were the candlelight ceremony welcoming the new seniors, the singing of the school song, and the emotional rose ceremony honoring parents. It was a celebration of not just achievement, but community.
In my speech, I spoke to the graduates not just as an alumnus, but as someone who understands the beauty and challenge of working for success. Their theme, inspired by Estée Lauder, resonated with me deeply:
“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.”
Because the truth is, dreams are beautiful, but dreams without action are just naps. And I’ve learned through every chapter of my life – from starting Ambergris Today, to traveling Belize in a camper van with iTravel Belize, to taking risks with businesses, and even in love – that it’s the work, the sweat, and the resilience that build a meaningful life.
To the Class of 2025: You have the tools. You have the technology. You have the voice. Now, you just need the hustle. Whether your path begins here on Ambergris Caye or takes you far from our shores, remember – success is built brick by brick, step by step. Don’t wait for the future. Create it.
And to Principal Vasquez, thank you for your dedication, your leadership, and your heart. Your shoes are big ones to fill, but your impact will continue to shape the lives of students for generations to come.
Here’s to the graduates, the teachers, the families, and to San Pedro High School, a place that continues to shape island history, one student at a time.
