Celebrating the Outstanding Prince Walean Scholars of 2024
At the 99th Annual Speech Day and Prize-Giving Ceremony, the foundation recognises five finalists at Prince of Wales School — and two winners.
The Francis Koroma Foundation recognised excellent pupils at the Prince of Wales Annual Speech Day and Prize-Giving Ceremony. The sun was shining brightly over the auditorium where the 99th annual ceremony took place. Hundreds of pupils, parents, teachers, dignitaries and well-wishers had gathered to celebrate the achievements of the academic year, in a hall decorated with colourful balloons, ribbons and banners carrying the school logo.
The ceremony began with an opening prayer and the introduction of the chairperson, Lt. Col. Dr Thomashia A. George, followed by the school choir singing the national anthem and a rendition of the school anthem. The principals of the Junior Secondary School, Mrs Agatha Macfoy, and the Senior Secondary School, Mr George A. Lefevre, thanked everyone for attending and congratulated the pupils for their hard work and dedication, encouraging them never to give up on their dreams. The guest speaker, Princewalean Amb. Alie E. Bangura, delivered an inspiring speech about the importance of education and the value of hard work.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for: the awarding of prizes and scholarships. The names of the highest achievers were announced by Princewalean Mrs Cleopatria Warritay, and the students walked up to the stage one by one. There were medals, certificates and trophies across categories — academics, sports and extra-curricular activities.
The Francis Koroma Foundation recognised five finalists at the school: Daniel Kulagbanda, SSS3 Business; Edward Sahr Mattia, SSS3 Business; Isaiah Ishaka Kargbo, SSS3 Business; Mohamed Kondeh, SSS3 Science; and Tennyson Kamara, SSS3 Science — all of whom took part in the essay competition. Two emerged as winners: Daniel Kulagbanda and Mohamed Kondeh.
As the ceremony continued, the auditorium resounded with applause, cheers and congratulations. Parents could not resist tears of joy at seeing their children recognised for their hard work, and teachers could not stop feeling proud of their pupils' accomplishments, knowing the effort that had gone into them.
The Senior Prefect, Tennyson Kamara, closed the ceremony by thanking everyone for their support and congratulating his seniors, colleagues and juniors on their achievements. The impact of the event will long be felt by everyone present — a way to recognise the achievements of the pupils and to celebrate the school's long history of excellence.