Rio Claro Government Secondary class of '73 reunites after 50 years

Students of the Rio Claro Government Secondary School (RCGSS) class of 1973 held their first reunion, some 50 years after graduating, at the Aquarium Restaurant and Bar, Cocoyea Village, San Fernando.

Economist and chairman of the Fair Trade Commission Dr Ronald Ramkisson, who graduated from RCGSS in 1970, gave the feature address, Our only Limitations are Those that we Impose on Ourselves. He shared his career journey and highlighted some lessons which contributed to his career milestones. He said support, both financial and non-financial, from those closest to him was critical, and that attitude, persistence and personal ambition were also necessary for accomplishing success and goals.

Ramkissoon praised the success of government secondary schools, saying  attending one "was certainly not a handicap," and referenced prominent citizens in various fields who attended those schools. He said he too benefited from such schooling and outstanding teachers, and that young people need to appreciate that they can excel at any school.

He said, “Alumni of RCGSS, I am living proof that the school one attends is only a limitation if we allow it to be; that the area of the country in which we were born or live is a limitation only if we allow these things to be; that our past is a limitation only if we allow it.”

He commended the alumni for successfully bringing people together “in contrast to those who unfortunately seem even at the national level, are working to keep us apart."

After dinner and special presentations the past students ended the evening dancing to DJ music provided by two of their schoolmates.

Excerpts from Ramkissoon's address:

"I believe that the real story in mine, as in anyone else’s life, is in the journey itself – what it took to get to these milestones; what happened in between these milestones. I will draw out what I believe are some of the critical lessons that I have learned. Those that I will highlight are support, attitude, persistence and ambition.

"Honesty and discipline are also important lessons, but time does not allow for elaboration on this occasion. But then what will you do with all of this knowledge, assuming it is useful?

Support and sacrifice

"The first lesson is that support (financial and non-financial) from those closest to me was critical, especially in the early years: the support of my parents, teachers, industrious friends, neighbours and family. From primary school through secondary school, I learnt how to do a lot with a little; how to eat whatever was given; how to make one pair of shoes do for school, church and everything else; growing crops, rearing animals, what sacrifice means and so on. Interestingly, it was only in my adult life that I understood that what I thought was punishment at the time was indeed support!

"Many of my teachers, at secondary school and at university, were outstanding in my view. I mention especially teachers of Rio Claro Government Secondary School. In particular, the late principal, Mr Malcolm Bobb, helped tutor me in A-level economics and...had chosen me to be the valedictorian of my graduating class of 1970. Do you think that was an act of foresight?
"Many other teachers as well were very helpful but time does not allow.

"In somewhat of an amusing way, a pivotal form of support and influence in my life was that of the boyfriend of my eldest sister. You see, he was at the St Augustine campus of the UWI, and on occasions when he visited my sister, I distracted him, or so I hoped, enquiring as to what he was doing at St Augustine. In fact, he was studying economics. So you begin to see how I ended up as an economist.

Attitude for success

"Support in the early years was necessary but not sufficient. Thus, a second lesson I learned is that one’s attitude has a major role to play in one’s success. This is perhaps the most important attribute that I can identify as critical. Attitude to parents, to friends and to teachers, to seniors and attitude to situations as well.
"I believe that it was the right attitude that attracted the help that I received from those around me. No one wants to help someone who is rude, unhelpful, always griping about one thing or the other, or a know-it-all. But how do we get the right attitude? Through our upbringing and the right exposure, I suppose.

Persistence to accomplish goals

"A third lesson I want to share is persistence. This has played a major role in my life: the 'stick- to-it-iveness' to accomplish my goals. It is this which drove me to study for A-levels largely on my own volition and even while I was teaching. Without the discipline to persis,t I believe that I could have easily been distracted from my goals.

"On reflection I think that the late teen years and early 20s were the most challenging period of my career. So although I worked, studied, limed and everything else a young man would do, yet I persisted in my goal of attaining entry to university.

"So persistence ensured that with my A-levels in hand, five years after I graduated from RCGSS, I was accepted at UWI, St Augustine, in 1975. After graduation, my first real job was at the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago. After two years, I again felt that I had not reached where I wanted to be and I again moved on, now to do my master’s degree. I completed in 1980 under the tutelage of the distinguished economist Dr Terrence Farrell.

"I was then welcomed back at the Central Bank. I was happy for a while. However, in 1989, the bug bit me again, I enrolled to do my PhD at St Augustine. Was this outcome persistence or ambition? Perhaps both, I think.

Personal ambition

"A fourth lesson that I want to reflect on is personal ambition. I suppose this attribute is associated with or derives from confidence in oneself.
"Alumni of RCGSS, I am happy that I have achieved the milestones which I have identified above and I know that you are happy for me. I feel especially rewarded and grateful for the recognition that you have extended to me here today.

"But I believe that many of you present here today have demonstrated personal ambition and like me, have overcome major challenges too and now live hopefully, very rewarding and happy lives.

"The thing about ambition is that it cannot be bought. It can only be encouraged. Indeed, ambition is more widespread than one might be led to believe. For example, there are other individuals who have attended other government secondary schools, as distinct from so-called prestige schools, and who have done just as well as I have or even better. Former senator and minister of energy Conrad Enill, who is now ambassador to Guyana; Dr Fuad Khan, medical doctor and former MPt; Alicia Jaggesar, parang singer; Kizzy Ruiz, calypsonian; Dominic Kalipersad, television personality; Russel Latapy, footballer/coach; and many more.
"I mention all of these names to reassure all of us that there are several national figures who have had the ambition to make a difference on the national and even international stage. Their attendance at a government secondary school was certainly not a handicap, as is sometimes believed.

"I make this point about ambition because I believe young people today need to hear this and to appreciate that they can excel at any school. Indeed, I believe this sort of continuous exposure to good role models can help in guiding today’s young people, many of whom are losing hope because of how they may think about themselves, where they go to school or because of the challenging background in which they live.

"Alumni of RCGSS, if I am living proof that the school one attends is only a limitation if we allow it to be; that the area of the country in which we were born or live is a limitation only if we allow these things to be; that our past is a limitation only if we allow it, then what is holding you back from your next successful venture, I ask?

Dream big and take action

"Alumni all, even at this stage of your life, whatever stage you consider that to be, do not allow yourself to be negative about yourself or any situation. Strive to always wear a cloak of positivity. Work with whatever you have, do not gripe about what you don’t have. Build more if that is your calling. Believe in yourself and promote that feeling among your family, friends and community. Dream big and take the necessary action to achieve the goals you set for yourself, not what someone set for you. You may wish to take small steps at first in order to fulfill those dreams, but believe that you can accomplish them.

" I believe that you, the class of 1973 and your executive, coming together to host this and other events speaks volumes about you. I commend you on successfully bringing people together, in contrast to those who unfortunately seem even at the national level, are working to keep us apart.

"What do I ask of you? Look after your personal well-being. Advise the young ones on what to do with their lives and what not to do. Do not dictate to them, nor should you choose for then, but certainly guide them in their choice. Do not allow anything, certainly not even your age, to hold you back from setting new goals and working to achieve them.
"But make sure that you enjoy whatever you do."