IB Students Back Together for Graduation Ceremony

By BARBARA J. WOERNER

By Barbara J. Woerner

Correspondent

BAYSIDE

John Griffin, a graduate of Princess Anne High School and current student at James Madison University, chatted with other 2006 graduates who filled the hall laughing and hugging.

All had assembled for the International Baccalaureate program’s 2006 graduation ceremony held Dec. 22.

Griffin, a music major, received a certificate for classes completed, instead of a diploma.

“The music program in IB is only two years, instead of four, so we don’t get a diploma,” he said. “It was a lot of intense requirements with papers and analyzing music theory.

“It required a lot of work but the workload was normal for what I’m doing now in college,” added Griffin. “The IB program really helped me there.”

He was one of 25 graduates who received certificates; 68 received diplomas. All of the students received regular high school diplomas in last June’s graduation ceremony.

“It’s such a relief not to have to worry about it anymore,” said Griffin. “I was anxious but now I’m really proud of myself.”

The International Baccalaureate Organization was founded in 1968, in Geneva, Switzerland. Its purpose is to help facilitate programs of study for students headed for college by providing a curriculum recognized by universities around the world.

Currently, half a million students are involved in IB programs in 1, 918 schools in 124 countries.

“The IB program is a comprehensive approach to learning designed to meet the highest standards in the world,” said Helen Cox, IB coordinator at Princess Anne High School.

Students must complete six academic courses in six subjects, complete an external exam in at least three higher-level subjects and three standard- level subjects and a minimum of 150 hours in the Creativity, Action and Service Program.

Last but not least, they write a 4,000-word essay on an area of interest to the student. They are awarded credits by the individual college or university they attend based on the results of their IB studies and exams. Some start their first year as sophomores instead of freshmen.

Hallett Connor wrote his extended essay on peace and conflict in the Middle East.

“It was challenging, I can’t lie about that,” he said. “I compared the current conflict in Israel to the crusades.”

His hard work paid off. Connor was selected as outstanding history student and received a perfect score on his essay. He is studying chemical engineering at the University of Virginia. Thanks to the IB program, he said, he took second-year classes during his first semester. He plans to take some time off during his third year in college to study in France.

“It’s exciting to be here with everything finally wrapping up,” he said.

(c) 2007 Virginian – Pilot. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.