 |
| A cross section of the audience |
Charlestown Nevis (September 3, 2004) Residents of Nisbett Estate and adjoining communities, as well as stakeholders in education, on Thursday 2, showered their support and recognition for one of Nevis’ daughter of the soil, Mrs. Violet O Jeffers Nichols, as her name was etched in the annals of Nevis’ history.
In an official ceremony to open and rename the Combermere Primary School, Mrs. Nichols was the distinguished patron who graciously accepted the accolade, where a public school in Nevis was named in the honour of a living icon.
During her brief words of gratitude, Mrs. Nichols nostalgically reminisced her successes and achievements with the many teachers, whom she worked along with, and the parents and guardians whom she noted cooperated with the teachers during her time.
She told the gathering which included, the members of the Nevis Island Cabinet, Permanent Secretaries, Education Officers, families, friends and well-wishers that during the time she exercised her duties as class teacher, head teacher and education officer, she did so with no thought whatsoever of having accolades bestowed upon her.
Mrs. Nichols, the third of fifteen children, retired after some forty-two years in the teaching profession in 1987. She rose to the challenge and was the first Education Officer on the island. She challenged teachers that one of their objectives should be to turn every child in their care into a winner.
 |
| (left to right) Mrs. Violet Nichols (lady of the moment in pink), Premier Vance Amory, Mrs. Vernie Amory, Min of Gender Affairs/Area Rep Hon Jean Harris and Jr Min of Education and Library Services, Hon Livingston Herbert all standing as Rev Moreland Williams brought the invocation. Principal Education Officer, Mrs. Jennifer Hodge stands just to the left of Mrs. Nichols. |
“Too many of our youths seem to label themselves losers and so turn to all kinds of unsatisfactory, unbecoming behaviour,” said Nichols as she expressed her concerns for the youths on the island. “To achieve that vision of aspiring for the best, (school’s motto) all concern parents, teachers and students must be prepared to make the extra human effort,” she added.
Minister of Health, Social and Gender Affairs, who is the area representative, the Hon Mrs. Jean Harris, was among the various speakers who paid tribute to the hard work of Mrs. Nichols. She noted that the occasion must be seen as an achievement for women, in that, “a woman with great esteem and to honour her for her invaluable contribution to the education on the island.”
According to Harris, in celebration, Nevisians must pause to lift up other women of high esteem. “Those women who for unforeseen reasons suffered hardships, endured storms and survive many challenges and unfortunate situations. Their lives have become the flowers that brighten the lives of us all today. We must celebrate my sisters as women of virtue, vision, valuating the past, present and the future,” Minister Harris commented.
As she ended on a high note congratulating Mrs. Nichols for her achievement on behalf of Nevis Island Administration, her family and the St. James’ community and by extension the people of Nevis, she gave the ingredients for a recipe for women of great esteem.
 |
| Mrs. Violet O Jeffers Nichols unveils the sign with the assistance of the PTA president (holding the drape) and one of her brothers (standing to her left). |
Premier of Nevis, the Hon Vance Amory gave the keynote address while Junior Minister responsible for Education and Library Services gave brief remarks. They both extend words of commendation to Mrs. Nichols and thanked the Methodist Church for their sacrifice in allowing their building to be used for the education of the children in the community.
The distinguished patron graciously did the unveiling of the sign and the cutting of the ribbon to signal the official opening and renaming of the school.
