By Habib Toumi
MANAMA: As her name echoed through the majestic hall and she stepped onto the stage, diploma waiting just ahead, Shaikha Latifa bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa beamed with pride and gratitude and her smile spoke volumes. It was not just about receiving a piece of paper. It was about every quiet victory, every difficult night, and every moment she wondered if it was all worth it.
Within fleeting seconds, a flood of memories raced to her head -tight deadlines, long hours of studies, and the unspoken pressure to keep going.
As the St Christopher’s School graduate came closer to her diploma, those memories did not feel heavy anymore. They felt like true power. Because hard work, even when no one sees it, eventually shows up—and hers had arrived in the form of a proud moment that she shared with her family, school and friends.
Each step she took across that stage represented more than academic achievement. It stood for growth, perseverance, courage, and connection. It honored the journey as much as the destination. For her, graduation was not a mere finish line. It was a milestone. A powerful reminder of how far she had come, and of the people who helped get her there. She thought of her family who stood by her with unwavering belief and love, of the teachers who never stopped pushing her potential, even when she could not see it herself, of her friends who motivated her even when she had doubts.
Shaikha Latifa was among the 133 students of 23 different nationalities from her school and the thousands of students across Bahrain who celebrated the graduation of their “Class of 2025”.
Starting mid-May, Bahrain’s private schools celebrate the graduation of their students with both pride, gratitude and fanfare. Parents and relatives are invited to join the joy and fun, the snaps, the laughs to “send off high school in style”, adding special charm to the celebrations that have become an integral part of the education landscape in Bahrain.
Speeches are given by high-profile personalities, including ministers, the school heads, and the valedictorians. The speeches are often well drafted and express pride, compassion and gratitude, turning special moments into even more meaningful events.
For the graduates, while the stage may have marked the end of one chapter, it was also the beginning of another. Armed with the lessons they learned, the strength they have built, and the courage they have earned, they were ready for the future. Because now they were fully aware that determination and perseverance lead to something powerful.
In a new trend, the day following the graduation, scores of graduates could be seen proudly wearing their gowns as they strolled in the major shopping centers of Bahrain, often heading to restaurants to continue their celebration.
