697. High School Graduation in Curaçao

High school graduation in Curaçao is probably the most nerve-wracking-slash-exhilarating experience you can possibly imagine… I mean, you study ridiculously hard ALL SENIOR YEAR preparing for your Central Schriftelijk Eindexamen (standardized final exams) – administered by the Netherlands. Mind you, these exams cover ALL of your high school material… and passing them determines graduation. These exams are HARD, so typically only 70-80% of seniors graduate… which means that 20-30% of seniors re-do their senior year. Now, let me tell you, failing the year isn’t the worst part… You see, you actually hear the results IN PUBLIC — surrounded by friends and family, all anxiously awaiting your number, first – last name, over a loudspeaker…

Your little heart pretty much skips a beat every time the loudspeaker skips a name, realizing that you might be next… or not… Granted when you finally hear your name… well… there simply is no better feeling in the world.

CONGRATS TO ALL OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL GRADS!!!

Numero 28, Martina, geslaagd! (= you’ve graduated)

Numero 30, Nelson, geslaagd! (= you’ve graduated) 

or just:

Xiomara Regina!

Ramses Rodelfina!

Shadia Rojer!