Opening of the academic year at the Rákóczi College’s Vocational High School
On September 1st, the Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian College of Higher Education’s Vocational High School held an opening ceremony at the Roman Catholic Church in Beregszász.
In line with tradition, the event took place within the framework of an ecumenical service. The sermon was delivered by János Molnár, episcopal vicar of the Roman Catholic Diocese in Munkács and parish priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese in Beregszász, János Margitics, pastor of the Beregszász Reformed Church, and István Kótonovics, Greek Catholic parish priest.
After the recitation of our national prayer and the college anthem, Katalin Soós, the director of the Vocational High School, greeted the students and teachers.
“10. 585. 396. 61. These are numbers I am proud of. 10. Today’s opening ceremony is not only about the formal welcoming of first-year students, but it’s also a birthday. After ten completed academic years, we can say that we have experienced and survived many things. We thank our patron, the Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian College, our supporters, and the Hungarian government for this time and every moment of it. 585. Over the past ten years, this many young people have obtained qualifications with us. We are proud of them. They are all graduates equipped with knowledge, standing their ground either at home or around the world. 396. This is the number of our graduates who stayed at home, continued their studies at Rákóczi College, and some have even become our colleagues over the years. 61. They are our present and future, our first-year students. From today, you too can start increasing your knowledge. We wish you perseverance and determination as you move forward on the path ahead,”
she said.
Following this, the students of the Vocational High School performed the song Vigyázz a madárra by Ákos Kovács.
István Csernicskó, the rector of the Rákóczi College, shared his personal experiences in his welcoming speech.
“In my personal life, this September marks the start of my forty-fifth academic year. I still remember the scent of freshly painted desks and the voice of my first-grade teacher. These memories come alive in me at every school opening ceremony, and this year is no exception. Over the years, I have experienced a great deal at every level of education, and I can confidently say that if a person does what they are capable of, they can rest their head peacefully at night. Always strive to do what you can, what is within your power,”
he emphasized.
In his speech, Zoltán Babják, the mayor of Beregszász, added that the building housing the Vocational High School, which once was the Secondary School №2, would not exist today without its sponsors. It was rebuilt with the support of Rákóczi College, and the Vocational High School now fills it with life.
“This institution is one of the educational prides of our city, our region, and Transcarpathia,”
he emphasized.
István Gyebnár, temporary chargé d’affaires of the Consulate of Hungary in Beregszász, greeted the attendees on behalf of the Consulate in Beregszász, the Consulate in Ungvár, and József Bacskai, consul general in Ungvár.
“Since 2014, the Vocational High School of Rákóczi College has been a Hungarian educational institution in Transcarpathia that not only offers secondary school certification but also produces certified professionals. It plays an important role in opening the way for young people in Transcarpathia to higher education institutions and creates the opportunity for graduates to find their place in the world of work,”
he said.
Ingrid Lőrinc, a graduate of the 2017 class of the Vocational High School, recalled her student experiences and expressed gratitude to the teachers for their dedication, professional competence, and for caring about their students and being concerned about their future.
After the greetings, the students of the institute performed the poetry compilation Hiszek az emberben… This was followed by the first-year students’ vows, read by József Balogh, a first-year student of Applied Mathematics.
Following the vow, Ildikó Orosz, president of Rákóczi College, István Csernicskó, and Katalin Soós greeted the first-year students with a handshake, making the moment even more solemn with a performance by the students of the institution.
“They say there are two important days in a person’s life: one is when they are born, and the other is when they realize why they were born. Dear students, I hope you have already realized this, and you know what you want, what will bring you joy, so that you can work for the benefit of your family and community,”
József Sin, vice president of the Transcarpathian Hungarian Cultural Association, greeted the first-year students.
Ildikó Orosz, president of Rákóczi College, shared a Chinese proverb with the students: “Teachers only open the door; you must enter by yourself.”
“Taking this image further, when entering the house of knowledge, teachers will again offer all that they know and can provide. But it is you, students, who must take it. You must take as much as you can use and as much as you need for your development. We offer you the opportunity to learn and to find yourselves,”
she concluded.
Finally, representatives of the historical churches asked for God’s blessing on the lives and work of those present. The ceremony concluded with the singing of the Szózat.
Anita Kurmay
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