IB Diploma Awards Ceremony

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The IB Diploma recipients of the Class of 2005 had already waited six months for their beautiful certificates, so the fact that the ice storm forced them to wait two more weeks did not faze this talented group in the least. On January 3 in an evening ceremony in the auditorium, all but five members of the Class of 2005 IB Diploma recipients were able to attend (missing: Fletcher McCraw, Michael West, Bryan Hamontree, Riaan Vorster, and Sarah Batizy) . Appreciative parents, siblings, and faculty applauded the group as they were congratulated by Headmaster Lee Cox, IB Diploma Program Coordinator Nancy White, and Upper School Assistant Director Margot Stewart.

The IB Class of 2005 attained some remarkable achievements. One hundred percent of this class passed the rigorous exams, well above the national and South Carolina averages which are in the mid-70% range. Out of a possible maximum of 45 points, McKenzie Smith and Sally Stephenson topped the previous CCES record of 39: McKenzie earned 41 points, Sally earned 43. Of the 22,114 diploma candidates worldwide who took the May 2005 exams, only 470 earned 41 points and a mere 215 earned 43.

Thomas Snider, Aleks Klimas, and McKenzie Smith earned "extra certificates," given for successful performance in a seventh IB subject, beyond the normal course load of six. Four members of this class were successful in passing four Higher and two Standard Level exams, a combination permitted but not generally advocated by the IB because of the work load involved: Aleks Klimas, McKenzie Smith, Sally Stephenson, and Riaan Vorster. And McKenzie and Sally STILL set total point records!

To emphasize the significance of the achievements of this class, Mrs. White read a letter from Brad Richardson, the Regional Director of International Baccalaureate North America, in which he specifically pointed out the success of the CCES program. Mr. Richardson wrote on December 15, 2005:

"Five years ago in the New York office, we wrote a letter congratulating the very first group of CCES students who had earned their IB Diplomas. We commented then on how those pioneers (or guinea pigs) were setting a high standard of achievement for subsequent classes, and creating a legacy of commitment that would benefit their brothers and sisters.

"We had no idea how prophetic those words would prove to be. "Christ Church Episcopal School has become one of the finest IB schools in the country, and one of the few to offer IB programs from kindergarten through high school. Those seeking to understand why your school has so quickly become a model for other IB schools need look no further than the remarkable feat of the IB Class of 2005. Of the 26 IB Diplomas attempted, 26 IB Diplomas were awarded. An awesome achievement, and one in which the whole community should take pride.

"But there is more to being an IB graduate than earning the diploma, more than getting in to a good university, even more than getting a good job. IB Diplomates are part of a small but significant group of young men and women around the world who carry with them the hopes of the IB mission, to be 'inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.' So, as you move forward in your education, we encourage you to do things that matter: continue to involve yourself in service to others; seek out people from different backgrounds and engage them in friendly dialogue; nurture your abilities to communicate in at least one language other than your own, and cultivate a belief that committed people of good will can change things for the better.

"...You have all made wonderful beginnings. We urge you to carry on in the spirit of camaraderie and hope that you formed as IB students at Christ Church. We wish you the best." Congratulations to this extraordinary group!


Sally Stephenson, now at Davidson College, received the highest
score (43) in the history of the IB program at CCES.

Daniel Antworth (Rice University) with his parents Julie and Mike.

Penn Ely has lost nothing of his enthusiasm since he became a college
man at UNC-Chapel Hill.

A happy reunion for Meredith Johnson (Presbyterian College),
Chelsea Rudisill (Duke University) and Kathleen McKinney (Furman)

Elizabeth Offerle (Clemson) beams with her proud parents, Joe
and Lei, and her brother Thomas '12.

Parents Leslie and Hall Provence III are clearly delighted at
Hall IV's (Clemson) achievement.

McKenzie Smith (Rice University) received an extraordinary score of 41.