BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Liburd/Bryant family continues to roll the dice of excellence, as yet another of its junior members has shown the aptitude of performing similar to her seniors in the academic arena.
That junior member is Shanice Liburd, who, because of her excellent performance, was chosen Class Speaker at the St. Theresa’s High School Graduation Ceremony held at the Immaculate Conception Co-Cathedral on Thursday, June 17, 2010.
In her opening remarks, Shanice quoted the late French essayist and moralist, Jean de La Bruyère: “No road is too long for him who advances slowly and does not hurry, and no attainment is beyond his reach who equips himself with patience to achieve it.”
The 17-year-old noted that it had been a long and hard road for members of the graduating class, adding that some of them had been attending that school from kindergarten and others from either the first or second forms, “and even the third and fourth forms”.
“Whatever the case may be, we have all worked hard and made individual sacrifices to reach the place where we are today in our lives. Along the way, there were challenges that each of us had to overcome individually as well as a class. In some instances, our teachers thought that we would not withstand these challenges,” Shanice said.
She disclosed that the class had a reputation of being “the rowdy bunch” and received lectures from each and every teacher, as well as detentions, writing lines and more lectures.
Shanice also shared her experience, noting that before entering the school at age five, she attended Mrs. Slack Pre-School and was petrified to be starting at a bigger and new school with children she did not know.
“I entered the school when Sister Mary Andrew was the Principal. Soon months turned into terms and terms turned into years. I moved from class to class and teacher to teacher. I grew into the school and though over the years I have faced several challenges and obstacles, here I am today graduating from this same school. Looking back when I first entered this school, I only prayed that this joyous day would come.”
She thanked the school’s Principal, Lisa Pistana, for her assistance and guidance over the years and also all of her primary and secondary teachers, on behalf of the graduating class.
Shanice was high in praise of her parents: “I would like to express my profound gratitude to my mother for her unwavering support, love and encouragement over the years. Even at times when I doubted myself she was always ready to offer her encouragement and lend an ear to my concerns, or a hand, in whatever way she could. She always saw the potential in me even when I failed to do so. I appreciate her guidance and love over the years. To my father, thank you for your continued words of encouragement, love and support over the years.”
The young scholar is the daughter of Sherolyn Huggins and Juni Liburd, who both indicated that it is their intention to provide her all possible opportunities in gaining higher education. They also stated that she would be enrolled at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) from the new academic year.
Sharice’s parents however differ in their choice of universities for her after graduation from the CFBC. While the father wants her to attend a university close to home, either the University of the West Indies or one in the USVI, her British-born mother prefers one in the country of her birth.
However, despite their differences, they both expressed their delight and satisfaction in their daughter’s academic achievements at this stage of her life.
“We are very proud of our daughter. She has always been an outstanding student, ranking in the top three throughout her formative years. So, her mother and I want to extend our deepest love and appreciation for her at this time, and also to extend our best wishes for her continued success in academics and throughout her career. Therefore, on behalf of the Liburd, Bryant and Huggins families, keep up the good work and continue to make us proud,” the father said.
Shanice Liburd comes from a long line of scholars, which include her father; her aunt - Minister of Health, Social Services, Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, Hon. Marcella Liburd; uncles Carl and the late Clarence Fitzroy Bryant; and her brother Shannon, who recently graduated with a Master’s degree in Technology and Policy from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
