Valedictorian Urges Graduates to Prioritise Character Over Certificates at St. Bernadette Soubirous School Ceremony

At a packed ceremony in the school auditorium at Dansoman on June 13, the valedictorian of St. Bernadette Soubirous School’s Class of 2026 delivered a message that cut against the grain of conventional graduation rhetoric: the certificate matters less than the character forged in earning it.

“Graduation is not only about acquiring a certificate. It is about acquiring character, discipline and purpose,” Miss Yaa Odame Amoh-Mensah told an audience of parents, guardians, teaching staff, alumni, and guests gathered for the school’s 2026 Graduation and Speech Day.

Education Beyond the Classroom

Amoh-Mensah described her time at St. Bernadette Soubirous as an experience that extended well beyond textbooks and examinations. “It has taught us perseverance in times of difficulty, integrity in the pursuit of excellence and the courage to remain steadfast in the face of challenges,” she said.

The ceremony itself reflected the holistic approach the school has adopted toward education. Poetry recitals, traditional drumming, and vibrant dance performances punctuated the formal proceedings, while awards recognised not just academic excellence but leadership and exemplary conduct across subjects and year groups.

A Call for Integrity

As the graduates prepared to leave the school, Amoh-Mensah urged her classmates to carry the values instilled in them into the wider world. “As we move forward, let us continue to pursue excellence with integrity and use the knowledge we have gained to make a positive impact wherever we find ourselves,” she said.

The emphasis on character and discipline arrives at a time when Ghana’s education system is grappling with broader questions about the quality and purpose of schooling. Concerns about indiscipline in senior high schools have prompted national debate, with some commentators arguing that the crisis reflects failures not just among students but across the entire social fabric, from families to institutions. The valedictorian’s call for integrity and personal responsibility resonates against that backdrop.

Gratitude and Acknowledgment

Amoh-Mensah was generous in crediting those who had supported the graduating class. “Our teachers have guided us with patience, wisdom and unwavering dedication. Their contribution to our success cannot be overstated,” she said, before turning to the parents and guardians in the audience. “Behind every graduate seated here today is a parent or guardian whose sacrifices have made this achievement possible.”

The school administration was commended for maintaining high academic and disciplinary standards, while the cultural performances served as a reminder that education at St. Bernadette Soubirous is designed to develop the whole person, not merely prepare students for examinations.

For the Class of 2026, the ceremony marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Whether they heed their valedictorian’s advice to pursue excellence with integrity will be determined in the years ahead, but the standard has been clearly set.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE