“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”
These words from American poet Henry David Thoreau undoubtedly will be heeded by the 110 Hillcrest High students honored at a special International Baccalaureate Diploma and Certificate ceremony Friday, Jan. 2.
The ceremony, held at Hillcrest High, featured remarks from Hillcrest Principal Sue Malone and IB Coordinator Dr. Brian Bentley, as well as a student musical number. There, 59 students received IB Diplomas and 51 students received IB Certificates. The IB Diploma Program aims to develop students who have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge and help them to flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically.
The student honorees graduated in the spring from Hillcrest, one of a dozen schools in Utah approved to teach IB classes. Each year, Hillcrest’s administration plans the ceremony for the first week in January, when many of the IB-award recipients, now college students, are home for the holidays.
International Baccalaureate, overseen by a nonprofit agency in Switzerland, is offered in 141 countries and aims to prepare students for life in a global economy. This is the 47th year that IB programs have been provided to students who seek a curriculum that emphasizes critical and creative-thinking skills.
To earn an IB diploma, students must take six IB courses in at least five different subject areas. They must pass some rigorous exams, write a comprehensive essay, and complete service in schools and communities.
In the next several weeks, Bentley is holding a series of meetings to discuss the program with students who will become high school age next year. The meetings will be:
Thursday, Jan. 8
Albion Middle, 2755 E. Newcastle Dr.
Kiva
7-8:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 14
Draper Park Middle School, 13133 S. 1300 East
Room No. 1412
7-8:15 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 15
Midvale Middle, 7852 S. Pioneer St.
Auditorium
7-8:15 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 22
Mount Jordan Middle, 11150 S. 300 East
Kiva
7-8:15 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 31
Hillcrest High, 7350 S. 900 East
AT200
11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. (deadline for Early Enrollment)
Wednesday, Feb. 4
Hillcrest High, 7350 S. 900 East
AT200
6-7 p.m. (before Incoming Freshman Orientation)
Parents and students are welcome to attend any meeting, regardless of where the children attend school.
Questions? Call Hillcrest’s IB office at 801-826-6018 between 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For information on IB, please see Hillcrest’s website and click on the IB Program. Information also can be accessed at the international website.
