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| Nevis Island Administration |
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Honesty, integrity and hard work will take you to the top; GSS graduands told
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| Gingerland Secondary School Graduating Class of 2007 during their graduating ceremony at their school’s auditorium |
CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (November 2007) -- Premier of Nevis and Minister of Education Hon. Joseph Parry told the Gingerland Secondary School’s (GSS) Graduating Class of 2007, that they should make honesty, integrity and hard work be their hallmark, if they are to reach the top and make Nevis proud.
His advice came during their graduating ceremony at the School’s auditorium on Thursday November 22, 2007, under the patronage of Mr. and Mrs. Franklyn and Sylvia Lawrence. The theme was “Re-Assessing Rights; Rules and Responsibilities”.
“I wish to speak of our character, our inner strength in what we really believe. I speak of honesty and integrity and hard work. I must speak of these three features because hard work seems to be going out of style in some areas in the world, especially in these islands of the Caribbean.
“Hard work is what gets you to the top…We have a culture or a sub culture in our
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| Valedictorian Ms. Jerry-Lee Bussue relieves her awards from Mr. Franklyn Lawrence |
country which believes that a life of crime is good and going the way of drugs is a quick way to make money…but I want to say hard work, long hours studying, discussion, researching and then when you go to the world of work, doing your best that is what eventually gets you to the top.
So I want to recommend to you, graduands, hard work don’t be afraid of it,” he said.
Mr. Parry told the students that they should be true to themselves at all times and to speak out and defend things that are right.
He also admonished them to study hard and not copy, to seek to achieve, to seek for promotion and to speak well of others but not destroy or betray their neighbour or friends in the process.
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| Premier of Nevis and Minister of Education in the Nevis Island Administration Hon. Joseph Parry |
“If you cannot speak well do not speak at all. Let me say this, if you cannot speak well, do not speak at all.
This business of destroying each other as black people is a dangerous and damaging business. We keep ourselves at the bottom of the ladder…Let us support each other.
“When a black man rises up celebrating, respect him and emulate him, do not criticise him and tear him down.
I am saying to you young people, the older ones have made many mistakes, learn from those mistakes do not look back but look forward.
Look to the side and look forward and reach out with your arms and embrace your sister and your brother as you match towards success your own personal development and the development of your island,” he said.
He urged the graduands and parents to have the audacity of hope and to see the boundaries of the world as their own.
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| A section of persons who were at the graduation ceremony |
“You must have the audacity of hope you have already achieved right here in Gingerland and on Nevis. You must now see that the boundaries of the world are yours. The world as your playing field and you can do anything that you want to do here in Nevis and the wide world…
“I wish to say to you that even as we think of hope, I want to say to you who could have dreamed a few years ago that the number one hotel in the world is looking at establishing itself right here in Gingerland in the area of Indian Castle.
Who would have dared to hope that the number one hotel in the world would even consider establishing itself in Gingerland on the shores of Indian Castle? but there is such a hope. It is for us to work to make sure it becomes a reality,” he said.
Mr. Parry also used the opportunity to address the work of the late Mrs. Rosalie Andre who he said had belief in and a passion for the school and made a difference there. He said she and had come to the school when it was in its early stages and shaped it into a power on the island.
~~Adz:Left~~ He said she believed in the school and she died believing in the school and she was not afraid to talk about it. Mrs. Andre was fortunate some of the brightest people from the area who attended the school…who did not care whether they were from Gingerland or Gingerland High School but took advantage of the opportunities to perform and excel.
The Education Minister urged parents and students to emulate the passion of Mrs. Andre to protect the school, to build it, to expand it and to treasure it.
He also urged teachers and parents to inspire and support the graduands since they too had a role to play in their lives.
“You have a role as a community to band together to lift these children to the greatest heights. Make them believe in themselves. There is no one that is too poor to do well.
I refuse to speak this morning of riches I speak of achievements and performances. I speak of lifting yourself to the greatest heights and taking your country along with you. Let me say graduands you can do it, you can do it and you will do it because the opportunities are there for you,” he said.
Valedictorian Ms Jerry-Lee Bussue while she reminisced on the graduating class’ five years at GSS thanked the teachers, parents for their support and encouragement and also the Nevis Island Administration for having provided the physical infrastructure, stability in Nevis which enhanced the teaching and learning experience at the school.
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