Road Town, Tortola - Minister of Education and Culture Honourable Andrew Fahie told the over 100 fifth form students that are currently participating in the 16th Annual Right Start Programme to “find their purpose and fulfil it”.
Speaking at the brief opening ceremony, held on Tuesday, April 13 at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College’s Auditorium, Honourable Fahie told the students that they can change the world no matter where they are from. “Major your own success by the abilities God gives you and start to nurture it today,” he said.
Minister Fahie also urged the students to pay close attention to the message not the person who is delivering the message. “A lot of times in small societies we watch who is given the message and judge the messenger and miss the message,” Honourable Fahie told the students, adding, “I urge you to always listen to the message not the messenger because we can learn something from every human being”.
“You must never think that you are smarter than anyone else because whatever you learn from that person could help you forever in life,” he explained.
Vice President of HLSCC Dr. Anne Monroe welcomed the students to the campus and urged them to take advantage of the numerous learning opportunities that they will be exposed to during the programme. “You have an opportunity to learn more about yourselves, your future and how you can best prepare in order to take advantage of future opportunities,” she said.
“In the BVI you are privileged to be offered free education up to the Associate degree level without deepening your pockets,” added Guidance Counselor and Coordinator of the programme Reverend Keith Lewis.
“We are preparing and equipping you for life as you take your rightful place in this Territory,” he said.
Acting Dean, Workforce Training Mrs. Judith E. Vanterpool told the participants that this programme was developed so that they can have a learning experience. “You are about to become graduates and the future leaders of this territory. You must make today a stone that says - I am going to be a leader of the Virgin Islands who is going to make a mark,” she said.
The two-day programme, which ended yesterday, is being sponsored by the Elmore Stoutt High School in collaboration with HLSCC.
The participating schools are Elmore Stoutt High School, Cedar International, St. George’s Secondary and Seventh Day Adventist Secondary.
Some of the areas that the students were exposed to are leadership development, preparing for a successful interview, writing a winning resume, attitude in the workplace, business ethics/etiquette, achieving success in the workplace and college/university preparation. The sessions will be facilitated by a number of local professionals.
The other sponsors of the programme are Bolos, Digicel, Island Services (BVI Ltd), Lions Club of Tortola, MWM Financials, National Educational Services Co. Ltd, Rotary Club of Road Town, Rotary Club Sunrise of Road Town, Road Town Wholesale Ltd. and the BVI Social Security Board.
In 2009 over 200 students participated in the Right Start Programme. The mission of the programme is to provide graduating students with hands on skills as they transition from high school to the real world.
British Virgin Islands News