There was laughter, song, prayer and  colour at St. Theresa’s Eregi Girls Senior School in Ikolomani, Kakamega County, as the school came together to dedicate its 2026 KCSE candidates — a class proudly christened “The Pinnacles.”

For the girls, it was more than just another school function.

It was a moment to pause, look back at the journey they have travelled and, with the national examinations now approaching, gather the courage to take the final step.

Leading the occasion was His Lordship Bishop Joseph Obanyi of the Catholic Diocese of Kakamega, who presided over the special Mass and offered the candidates words of encouragement and faith.

But behind the colourful occasion was a school community determined to see its girls succeed — and at the centre of that effort is the school Principal, Mrs. Victoria Alukum.

Soft-spoken, composed and known for her calm approach to leadership, Mrs. Alukum has steadily guided Eregi Girls while keeping her eyes firmly on both academic achievement and the character of the girls under her care.

For her, seeing Bishop Obanyi at the school was particularly special.

Mrs. Alukum thanked the Bishop, the BOM, Parents’ Association, teachers, support staff and all stakeholders for making the Prayer Day possible.

She then brought laughter to the gathering when she recalled a conversation she had had with the Bishop about attending the event.

She jokingly told him that even if he found himself in ICU, he should somehow find a way to get to Eregi, dedicate the candidates and then return.

The joke captured the warmth of the relationship between the school and the Bishop.

And Mrs. Alukum was not about to let him off easily.

She jokingly “booked” him for next year’s Prayer Day, saying she was deeply grateful that he had found time to be with the Eregi family.

A CLASS THAT HAS GIVEN THE PRINCIPAL HOPE

For Mrs. Alukum, the Prayer Day also provided an opportunity to speak about the girls she has watched grow.

She described The Pinnacles as a promising class and said the school was confident of achieving its target mean score of 7.0.

“This year, we have a very promising class,” she said, adding that the candidates had remained disciplined throughout their preparation.

She praised the teachers for going the extra mile to prepare the girls for the examinations.

The Principal also acknowledged the support of parents, the BOM and the PA, saying the candidates had been surrounded by people determined to see them succeed.

Her message to the girls was simple: make good use of everything that has been invested in you.

‘7.0 IS TOO SMALL’ — PA CHAIRMAN

If the Principal was cautiously optimistic, PA chairman Mr. Vulemi Simon appeared ready to raise the bar even higher.

He told the girls that the school’s target of 7.0 should not be the ceiling of their ambition.

According to Vulemi, the girls who are about to sit their examinations are very different from the learners who first arrived at Eregi.

“The teachers have done so well in preparing the candidates. Our girls are not the same as they came to Eregi,” he said.

He also praised the candidates for their discipline.

In an emotional moment, Vulemi appealed to teachers to forgive parents where disagreements may have occurred, saying there was no need for old misunderstandings to follow the girls into the examination room.

He asked teachers to release any bitterness from their hearts so that the candidates could sit their examinations with everyone united behind them.

It was a reminder that sometimes the most important support a child needs before an examination is not another textbook — but adults who believe in her and stand together.

‘THE EYES THAT SEE ARE RARE’

Mrs. Mildred Luhando left the candidates with another memorable message.

She reminded them that although many people have eyes, the eyes that truly see are rare.

Her challenge was for the girls to look beyond the examination itself and see the bigger picture — the opportunities, responsibilities and lives that await them beyond Eregi.

Deputy Principal Mrs. Mercy Luvai urged the candidates to maintain their discipline and focus until the very last minute.

She reminded them that their behaviour and attitude would be just as important as their academic preparation.

BISHOP OBANYI RAISES THE BAR

Then came the moment many of the girls will probably remember for years.

Bishop Joseph Obanyi stood before the candidates and challenged them to aim for the very top.

His message was direct.

“We don’t want anything below an A.”

The words drew energy from the room.

The Bishop encouraged the girls to believe in themselves, work hard and put their trust in God as they approached the examinations.

For a class called The Pinnacles, the message could hardly have been more fitting.

A pinnacle is the highest point.

And that is precisely where the school wants its 2026 candidates to set their sights.

A JOURNEY BUILT BY MANY HANDS

The BOM chairperson thanked Bishop Obanyi for accepting the invitation and for dedicating the candidates.

He also recognised the contribution of parents, teachers and other stakeholders who have supported the girls throughout their journey.

Special appreciation went to Mrs. Alukum for providing leadership and direction at the school.

As the ceremony came to an end, one message stood out: the candidates are not walking into the examination room alone.

Behind every girl is a teacher who prepared her, a parent who sacrificed for her, a school administration that guided her, a community that believes in her — and, on this special day, a Bishop who prayed over her.

The girls now have their part to play.

The books are open.

The prayers have been said.

The expectations are high.

And as The Pinnacles prepare to climb towards their final academic summit, Eregi Girls is watching with hope — confident that the girls will make their school, their families and themselves proud.