site.btaFifth-Graders Take Ceremonial Oath at Bolhrad High School

Fifth graders from the Georgi Sava Rakovski Bolhrad High School took a ceremonial oath and were initiated as high school students during a ceremony held on Tuesday as part of celebrations marking the school’s patron day and the 205th anniversary of the birth of Georgi Sava Rakovski.

The ceremony began with remarks by student hosts, who highlighted the significance of the event for the youngest students. They described the initiation as one of the most anticipated moments for fifth graders.

During the event, the classes were introduced and traditionally welcomed with applause from students, teachers, parents and guests. The hosts noted that the ceremony symbolizes the students’ inclusion in the school community.

Before the oath, attendees observed a minute of silence in memory of those killed in the war in Ukraine, including former students of the school.

The fifth graders pledged to uphold the school’s name, strive for knowledge and follow its values. The hosts told them they were now part of the school community.

A symbolic "flame of knowledge" was also presented, traditionally passed from older students to the new ones as a sign of continuity. Class teachers lit candles, which the students accepted as a symbol of their pursuit of knowledge.

At the end of the ceremony, the school’s principal Snezhana Skorich congratulated the newly initiated students and presented them with certificates, wishing them success in their educational journey.

"Dear children, today my heart beats faster, perhaps just like the hearts of your parents. They are excited for you and proud of you, and I share that feeling. I see each of you as part of my family, of our large school family, without which I cannot be and for which I work every day," Snezhana Skorich said.

"I am confident that with students like you, the school has lived, lives and will continue to live. I am proud of you and believe in your future," Skorich added.

The ceremony took place in front of the school’s main entrance and was attended by Bulgaria’s Consul General in Odesa Svetoslav Ivanov, Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) Director General Kiril Valchev, Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad Executive Director Raina Mandzhukova, MusicAutor Chief Executive Officer Ivan Dimitrov, Sofia University Rector Georgi Valchev, Izmail State University of Humanities Rector Yaroslav Kichuk.