October 31, 2003 marks another milestone in the history of Colegio Luterano “Redentor del Mundo” and the village of Santiago Zamora, Guatemala, as ten students graduate Básico III.Several of these students were part of the original Pre-Kindergarten class when the school opened its doors in 1991. At the time, the only education available to area students were grades 1-3 at the government school in the village plaza. Since then, the Redentor has grown to include Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, grades 1-6, and Básico I-III.
This group of ten scholars is the first to graduate Básico III (grade 9) in village history. Also noteworthy is the fact the majority of the students are young women, possibly indicating a changing view of the value of education for girls and women. In Guatemala, a Básico education has similar value as a US high school education.
The next step for these students will be either to enter the work force or attend another school which offers a “career” level education or a technical school.
The Class of 2003:
Saima Yohana López López Bible verse: Psalm 37:4 Favorite School Memory: “All the field trips and the places we visited.” Saima plans to continue studying in the coming years. Her wish is one day to be a secretary in the Tourism and Hotels industry.
Sandy Sulema Hernández López Bible verse: Psalm 107:1 Favorite School Memory: “My favorite memory is of when I was chosen as Miss Colegio and given the school sash in primary school.” Sandy plans to continue studying and be a teacher of small children.
Karin Maricela Hernández Santos Bible verse: Ecclesiastes 12:1 Favorite School Memory: “When they told me I was going to go to the United States.” Karin plans to continue studying. Her wish is to study medicine and become a doctor.
Glenda Magalí López Hernández Bible verse: Psalm 1:1 Favorite School Memory: “The retreat with Peter’s group (X-Tend).” Glenda plans to continue studying. She wants to be a professional worker in the Tourism and Hotels industry.
Edilsar Gudiel Macú Santos Bible verse: Philipians 4:13 Favorite School Memory: “When we won the basketball competition in the capital with my friends.” Edilsar plans to continue studying and to become a business manager.
Greysi Lourdes Méndez Pamech Bible verse: Hebrews 12:2 Favorite School Memory: “My happiest memory is when they began the Básico I, because they didn’t know how it would be with a Básico. I enjoyed it a lot.” Greysi’s plans are, “God permitting and I pass, to continue studying to be a teacher.”
Oralia Nohemí Miche Hernández Bible verse: Philipians 4:13 Favorite School Memory: “The patriotic festivals of September 14 and 15 because we left to carry the [liberty] torch and to visit different places.” Oralia says her plans are, “First, I hope God permits me to graduate because I want to continue studying.” Her wish is to work in business as an accountant or a manager.
Yefri Aldolfo Miche Méndez Bible verse: Ecclesiastes 12:1 Favorite School Memory: “When I was able to visit the United States and Texas. It was very good to meet many good friends.” Yefri plans to continue studying. He wants to an automobile mechanic.
Frayan Misael Pérez Solano Bible verse: Genesis 2 Favorite School Memory: “My happiest memory is that we were always together as friends.” Frayan plans to continue studying in the field of music and eventually earn a degree in Computer Science.
Elder Vinicio Santos Zamora López Bible verse: Genesis 7:7 Favorite School Memory: “My favorite memory is when I was in Fort Worth for a month.” Vinicio plans to study in chef classes this next year.
See student photos at http://geocities.com/colegioredentorsz/pix03b.html