Farida Elhabashy, daughter of Egyptian Ambassador Abdelmawgoud Elhabashy, was awarded the title of valedictorian at the graduation ceremony of Verdala International School, Pembroke, held on June 16.

The title is conferred upon the highest ranked student among those graduating.

Ms Elhabashy will be pursuing her studies at Grinnell College, Iowa, considered one of the top 10 universities in the US, specialising in liberal arts and sciences. She will be studying policy-making and the environmental economy.

The key speaker during this year’s graduation ceremony at Verdala International School was Jerry White, an American political activist and co-founder of Survivor Corps.

He is a recognised leader of the historic International Campaign to Ban Landmines, co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Survivor Corps is the first international organisation created by and for survivors to help victims of war rebuild their lives.

In 1984, White lost his leg in a landmine accident. He had arranged for, and escorted, Princess Diana on her last humanitarian mission to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

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