‘Dare to be different’

By Emerline Gordon

The St Nicholas Primary School in Mt Marie hosted a graduation and awards ceremony for Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) students on June 14 at the Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort in Lowlands. Celebrating with the theme, “pride in how far you have come, faith in how far you can go,” Dr Verleen Bobb-Lewis, Technical Advisor to the Chief Secretary in the Division of Education, encouraged the students to think outside the box, always being creative and different.

Delivering the feature address, Bobb-Lewis described the students’ graduation as an academic milestone.

“I want to congratulate you for the beautiful students that you have become. You have maintained that level of discipline throughout your entire primary school life and for this I applaud you.

“I know that your years have been spent working hard at your school work, homework and projects…but may I remind you, if you are to succeed and be the best in this life, that is what it is and nothing else. Hard work, sacrifice and commitment is the key to success. We are only going to get back what we put out,” she said.

She advised the students, that as they encountered challenges, and even become discouraged sometimes, they should strive to remain disciplined and focused on their goals.

“If you take that same level of commitment and discipline which you have displayed at the primary school level with you at the secondary level, and if you remain confident and focused on your purpose, you are going to overcome every obstacle that will want to impede your progress as you continue your journey.

“Learn to think outside of the box by allowing your minds to explore creative and innovative ways of doing things differently instead of the traditional and conventional ways that you are accustomed to. Dare to be different!” Dr Bobb- Lewis added.

She also encouraged the parents of the graduates to continue to recognise and celebrate their children’s successes throughout their lives, and not just on certain occasions.

Also present at the ceremony were Minister of State in the Office of the PM and MP for Tobago East, Ayanna Webster-Roy and Archdeacon Phillip Isaac.