Graduates of Xanthi Minority High School celebrate with a magnificent ceremony
A grand graduation ceremony was held for 94 students who graduated from the Xanthi Minority Junior High and High School.
The event took place on Sunday, June 22, at the Apollon wedding hall in Xanthi. It was organized by the School Parents' Association with the support of the Board of Trustees.
Among the notable attendees were Turkish Consul General in Komotini Aykut Ünal and his wife Ilayda Ünal, School Principal Sedat Hacı Arif, Vice Principal Andreana Aleksandridu, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Ozan Ahmetoğlu and board members, Parents' Association President Cemalettin Efendi and other association officials, Chairman of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board and Mufti of Xanthi Mustafa Trampa, New Left Party MP Hüseyin Zeybek, Independent MP Burhan Baran, Mustafçova Mayor Ahmet Kurt, President of the Association of Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Hüseyin Baltacı, President of the Xanthi Turkish Union Kerem Abdurrahimoğlu, teachers, parents, and many guests.
Opening speeches were delivered by Parents' Association President Cemalettin Efendi and Board Chairman Ozan Ahmetoğlu, who congratulated all graduating students and their families.
Following the speeches, the event featured welcome addresses by School Principal Sedat Hacı Arif, Vice Principal Andreana Aleksandridu, Mufti Mustafa Trampa, and Turkish Consul General Aykut Ünal.
The celebration continued with a musical performance by Özcan Kalfa and his band, followed by a traditional folk dance performance by the graduating students, which received great acclaim from the audience.
The 94 graduating students were called to the stage in five groups as their names were read aloud. Outstanding students received plaques for their academic achievements. This year’s top graduates were:
- Valedictorian: Nergiz Dahil
- Salutatorians: Rukiye Sürçoğlu and Elif İsmailoğlu
- Third Place: Enes Karadayı, Müyesser İmam, and Duygu Sefer
Teachers were presented with flowers by the Parents’ Association in recognition of their contributions. Musician Özcan Kalfa was also honored with a gift.
As part of the “Support for Education and Students” project led by the Board of Trustees and the Parents’ Association, graduates received customized T-shirts and keychains with the school's name printed on them. Additionally, a brand-new smartphone, provided as a raffle prize during school fundraising events, was awarded to lucky student Hacire Kabza.
The event concluded with a traditional cap toss, creating a festive and emotional finale as the 94 students officially marked their graduation from Xanthi Minority High School.
