Kittitians Denise Daniel and Joana Casimir earned bachelors degrees at Midwestern State University's commencement exercises on May 13th. Daniel earned her bachelor of art in art, and Casimir a bachelor of science in biology. The two joined thirty others from the Caribbean who marched with the university's 700 graduates.
Vincentian soca sensation, Alston 'Becket' Cyrus, brought down the house as he performed for the crowd of almost 500 Caribbean and American students and graduation guests. Becket joins Chalkdust, Gypsy, Ophelia Marie, and Ajamu among the many Caribbean artists who have performed for Midwestern's Caribbean Students Organization.
The Becket Concert was the highlight of the weekend celebrating ten years of graduating Caribbean students at the university. Over 350 Caribbean students have earned degrees at the institution that currently hosts 250 from the sub region.
"We are so far removed from the mainstream of the culture," said Michael Penny, an alumni organizer for the show. "So we are always an enthusiastic audience for our guest performers."
Becket himself called the student organization a living testimony that Caribbean unity is possible. "This is the most fun I have had in years as a performer," said the thirty year veteran. "I could do this for free because these kids have a first class organization."
Twelve new students will be accepted to Midwestern State University this August along with 50 others from the Eastern Caribbean this August. Twenty-two Kittitians are currently attending Midwestern State University among the 250 from the Eastern Caribbean.
