DHAHRAN, 13 June 2004 — On Thursday morning, 67 students graduated from the 12th grade at International Schools Group Dammam High School. It was a ceremony that almost didn’t happen. During the Alkhobar terrorist attacks on May 29, ISG-Dammam had closed for a day. But after a security review and with the full confidence of the parents, ISG-Dammam reopened to finish the final few days of the 2003-2004 school year.

Due to the importance of the graduation ceremony as a milestone in the lives of the 12th grade students and their families, the ISG administration chose to let the event proceed with extremely tight security. The ceremony had been canceled last June after terrorist attacks in Riyadh resulted in a shortened academic calendar.

“I’m so happy for my daughter Kristin who is graduating from high school today,” said A. Vargas.

“She was just 18 months old when we came to Saudi Arabia and we’re delighted that she has been able to finish high school here in the Kingdom. Now, she will be continuing her education in Texas. Kristin plans to become a nurse.”

“My daughter received a balanced education in Saudi Arabia,” Vargas added. “She went to the Saudi Aramco Schools through ninth grade. Then we tried to send her to boarding school, but like many other students she couldn’t adjust to life away from her family. We brought her back here and she has done well at ISG-Dammam. Allowing international schools to go through 12th grade was an important move on the part of the government. Families should be together. Today we are pleased to be watching her graduate. It is unfortunate that some of the social events associated with the graduation had to be canceled due to the security situation, but otherwise everything has gone well.”

An audience of more than 300 expatriates, families and friends of the graduates, were on hand for the event.

“Today’s graduation is a bittersweet thing. I’m glad they’ve gotten this far but I’m sad to see them going,” said ISG-Dammam counselor Evelyn Harrison. “This is the fourth class to graduate from ISG-Dammam. We have 67 students graduating today, although only 63 will be participating in today’s ceremony. The other four families have already left the area.”

Harrison remarked that the 2003-2004 academic year was excellent for the school as the Middle States Association has recommended ISG-Dammam for accreditation, to be official in the autumn. Harrison explained that the accreditation is a “validation” of the school’s quality. She also stated that thus far, for the coming academic year, it seemed that most of ISG-Dammam’s students would be returning.

“We haven’t had any significant withdrawals,” Harrison said.

And then the music began. To the measured strains of Edgar Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance,” the graduates proudly made their way to the stage. For ISG-Dammam Principal Norman Edwards, the ceremony also marked a milestone.

“This is a very happy day,” said Edwards. “It’s a celebration of learning. For me it’s a proud moment. This is the last official duty of my teaching career. I’m proud to be leaving a school that is in good health and good spirit.”

At the Commencement Ceremony there were two valedictorians. Edwards explained that two ISG-Dammam students had identical top marks and so both would be addressing the audience.

“Always stand up for your values,” said Zohaib Tariq Mian, the first student to speak. “Always fight for your rights but remember it is only the beginning.”

“There are two roads in life,” said Abdulmonem Isam Murayyan, in his valedictory. “One that is smooth and short, the other long and rough. It is the rough road that leads to the height of greatness.”

Before the diplomas were conferred, ISG Superintendent W. Fred Bowen had a bit of advice to pass on to the students. He told them that their graduation ceremony would be one of the few moments they would remember for the rest of their lives and he congratulated the students on their accomplishments thus far.

But he cautioned them that challenges lay ahead and there would be difficult choices to be made. Neither fame nor riches would be the measure of true success.

“What is most significant,” said Bowen, “is how you achieve whatever your goal in life might be.”