On Thursday, 2 November, 2017, Ema S., the first successful graduate of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program from the BESST High School, took part in the festive award ceremony that took place in the historic building of the National Council of the Slovak Republic in Bratislava.

Fifty-three young people from all corners of Slovakia, having conquered themselves and having met all the challenges that the program has brought about in such areas as sports, talent development, volunteering, and an adventurous expedition, received their prizes from the hands of the UK’s ambassador Andrew Garth and Branislav Kleskeň, the cofounder and the CEO of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Slovakia.

The ceremony was even more special due to the fact that these successful bronze- and silver-level participants were encouraged by the presence of his majesty Prince Edward, the son of the founder of the International Award of the Duke of Edinburgh. After the official part of the ceremony, the students had a chance to meet with Prince Edward in person.

The vast majority of the participants were certainly leaving the event highly impressed after having met with His Majesty in person and taking part in the grand ceremony itself.

I believe that Ema will not stay the only student of the BESST High School that has been awarded this recognition — there are more students participating in this program that is still open to other interested students from our school, as well.

Mr. Juraj