Saint Joseph School (SJS) – Cornet Chahwan once again demonstrated its long-standing tradition of faith, elegance, and academic excellence during the two-day celebration.
The celebration commenced on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 6:30 pm, with the Graduation Mass at the Secondary School Division’s outside playground, which served as a spiritual sending-off for the graduates, bringing together their parents, guardians, priests, and the dedicated SJS faculty and staff.
The atmosphere shifted from sacred reverence to communal celebration. The President of the SJS Association, Mr. Serge Abi Raad, delivered a warm, motivating address, officially welcoming the graduating class into the global network of the SJS Alumni family.
In an emotional moment of reflection that followed, the School Rector, Msgr. Chady Bou Habib, invited everyone to gather beneath the branches of the school’s historic oak tree, where the graduates buried their time capsule, safeguarding their shared memories and future aspirations. The evening then concluded gracefully with the traditional cutting of the graduation cake and an open buffet.
On Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 7:00 pm the Class of 2026 marched down the stairs in a spectacular processional entrance.
The evening featured powerful messages. The School’s Rector, Msgr. Chady Bou Habib took the stage to remind the graduates of their profound responsibility to lead with integrity. His Excellency Archbishop Antoine Bou Najem offered words of wisdom, blessing the graduates as they embark on their next chapters. Following a gracious welcoming word, Mr. Fares Saad, SJS Vice Rector for School Life and the evening Master of Ceremony, introduced the Guest speaker, Dr. Antoine Zoghbi. As President of the Lebanese Red Cross, Dr. Zoghbi delivered an inspiring speech centered on resilience, leadership, and humanitarian services.
The peak of the evening arrived as the 3rd Secondary (GS, LS, and ES strands) and IBDP Graduates were called to the stage to receive their school diplomas and medals.
Following the distribution, the Rector presented Dr. Antoine Zoghbi with a token of appreciation, a beautifully symbolic boat.
Representing the student body, the Student Council Chairman, Paul Azar, and Chairlady, Madona Slim, took the stage to hand over the traditional Graduates’ Trophy to the Rector, as a token of the graduation class eternal gratitude.
The academic triumph of the class was highlighted through three brilliant multilingual valedictory addresses: Nour Kanaan (Arabic), Anthony Boustany (English), and Tracy Garabedian (French).
With the speeches concluded, the Secondary School Principal, Fr. Maroun Chamoun announced the Class of 2026 as graduates. The students dynamically flipped their tassels. And then, crowd stood to sing the School Anthem, led by the powerful voice of Tenor Edgard Aoun. The event ended with the recessional music playing while the graduates, in one synchronized, unforgettable motion, threw their caps high into the air.
Congratulations to the SJS Class of 2026. Go forth and be the change makers the world is waiting for!