These celebrities belong to the class of 2021 and graduated with flying colors
It’s time to reap the fruits of all your hard work because graduation season is here! Like any other graduating students, these celebrities and celebrity kids were able to conquer the uncertainties of the pandemic and are now finally at the finish line of their respective academic journeys.
Get to know the celebrities who are part of the graduating class of 2021.
Venus Raj
The Miss Universe 2010 4th runner-up recently graduated from the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics (OCCA) in Oxford, England.
In an Instagram post, Raj mentioned how this specific journey tested her faith but at the same time she enjoyed fellowships while gaining more knowledge. She also said that she experienced “meaningful conversations, discovering gifts, empowering opportunities, revisiting struggles, and gaining life-long friends.”
The beauty queen did not state the specific program she took, but in her post she added the hashtags #CommissioningDay and #Graduatenaposawakas. Before entering OCCA, Raj had already earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts from Bicol University, and a master’s degree in Community Development from the University of the Philippines in 2017.
Jodi Sta. Maria
It’s truly never too late to earn a degree. The 38-year-old actress announced that she’s finally gotten her degree in Psychology. Not only that—she graduated with flying colors and topped several classes too. Sta. Maria graduated from Southville International School and Colleges.
In her Instagram post, she thanked her family, her teachers, management team, and friends who supported her college life. Sta. Maria reminded everyone that it’s never too late nor too old to “reach your stars.” She also told her followers that success comes to those who want it and you have to ask yourself how you really do. Sta. Maria said that she has always dreamt of finishing school since she entered the showbiz.
Giselle Töngi-Walters
The Swiss-Filipino former actress, video jockey (VJ), and model shared a glimpse of her graduation ceremony on Instagram. The 43-year-old former television personality graduated from Antioch University in Los Angeles, California, USA.
In her social media post, Töngi-Walters said she finished her graduate studies with a masteral degree in Nonprofit Management. Töngi-Walters said that the pandemic created uncertainty and challenges but she’s proud that she was able to overcome those things and finally reach the finish line. She congratulated her fellow graduates and thanked her family for the love and support they gave her. She also included the hashtags #gradschool and #certifiednonprofitprofessional at the end of her graduation post.
Töngi-Walters has been living in the US with her family for almost two decades now.
Lorin Gutierrez
Ruffa Gutierrez’s daughter Lorin Gutierrez Bektas graduated high school from the British School Manila (BSM) and her mom Ruffa Gutierrez expressed how happy and proud was of her daughter and “first graduate.” In an Instagram post by Lorin herself using her mom’s account, she said that the past 10 years she spent in high school have surely made her gain “endless life-long friends and memories” that she will always treasure.
“I can’t wait to see where my future takes me and I will never forget my time spent in BSM.” Lorin did not mention what school in California she will attend college, but last 2019 she attended a pre-college program in the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Gutierrez also shared a number of photos with her daughter during Lorin’s graduation celebration. She did not forget to hail all the hard-working single moms like her who have raised children “with courage and strength on their own.”
Leon Barretto
Marjorie Barretto congratulated her son Leon Barretto who graduated high school from the Multiple Intelligence International School (MI) with high honors. Last June 13, Barretto posted photos of Leon attending his virtual graduation at home while wearing his toga along with the seven medals awarded to him.
“My son Leon graduated yesterday with High Honors. 7 medals. Mathematics Award, Social Science Award, Arts Award, Communication Arts Award, Teens Can Award and GAS TOP 2! Your sisters and I are so PROUD of you! Thank you Leon, for making it all worth it. Thank you God for seeing us throughout the last 14 yrs. Keep going Leon, you are on the right path. We love you so much!” she wrote.
Marjorie also thanked Julia Barretto, her second child, for helping her out with Leon’s studies and for putting him in a good school. She stated that she couldn’t have done it without Julia’s help.