ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, November 25th, 2011 – In celebration of their students’ academic performance, the Alternative Secondary Education Programme (ASEP) hosted its ninth graduation exercise, where 16 students graduated with secondary education certificates.

Additionally, three students received certificates in a technical/vocational subject. The graduation exercise was held at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium on November 24.

Top student Mr. Christopher Primus was also successful at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination delivered by the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC), attaining a grade II pass in English and a grade III pass in Mathematics.

He thanked the Government, his instructors and the coordinator Ms. Cecily Malone for the establishment of the programme which he said gave him a”second chance” to complete his secondary education.

“This is the first step. Now it is time to move on,” he said.
Graduates Sean Leonard, Verlie Fox, Mekesha Williams and Shemekah Smith all excelled in individual subjects and earned special awards including an IPad II from the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn in his remarks said, “Many of you are accomplishing something that you may have thought you never would. Your accomplishment is a tribute to you as well as to a number of persons who decided not to give up on you; people who were prepared to stick with you through thick and thin.”

He added, “You owe them a debt of gratitude and I hope that as you go forward you will continue to be determined to achieve your best in all your endeavours.”

The Minister continued, “I want you to know that your success will always be the success of all of us in this community. The Virgin Islands have a vested interest in your achievement and all of us look forward to seeing you add to the greatness of our country.”

Highlighting the uniqueness of the class, programme coordinator Mrs. Cecily Malone said she was proud of all “her graduates” especially Mr. Travis Smith who wrote the examination while incarcerated and completed the Computer Repair technical subject after his release. Mrs. Malone said the programme gives her a “sense of satisfaction.”

Guest speaker and ASEP Instructor Mrs. Elecia Stoutt-Todman encouraged the students to continue to grow and excel as they now stand at the beginning of a new world. She also admonished the graduates to take full advantage of every opportunity presented.

Acting Permanent Secretary Dr. Marcia Potter and Minister Walwyn assisted in the presentation of certificates in addition to programme instructors Mr. Douglas Johnson, Mr. Zakariah Yunusah and Mrs. Joyce Leslie.
Sixth District Representative Honourable Alvera Maduro-Caines and First District Representative Honourable Andrew A. Fahie were in attendance.

The programme was chaired by ASEP Instructor Mr. Zeblaon McClean.
The Alternative Secondary Education Programme began in 2002 and provides a second chance for students to write the school leaving examination where they must pass five subjects including English and Mathematics to be certified.

The 2011 graduating class of the Alternative Secondary Education Programme are:
1. Christopher Primus - Top Student
2. Sean Leonard - 1st place in Human and Social Biology

3. Verlie Foxe - 1st place in Social Studies
4. Mekesha Williams - 1st place in Mathematics

5. Shemekah Smith - 1st place in Information Technology
6. Melissa Todd

7. Trisha Frett
8. Troy Francis

9. Christine Roberts
10.Natacha Durimel

11.Caryl Adams
12.Shener Williams

13.LG Fraser
14.Shekeema Smith

15.Joella Challenger
16.Travis Smith

The following students received certificates in a single technical/vocational subject.
• Valencia Brathwaite
• Joseph G. Paul
• Elva Thomas-Parsons

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