BASSETERRE St. Kitts, May 1st, 2013 -- The St. Kitts Graduates Soccer Club demonstrated its might in hosting the Ninth Annual Gala and Awards Ceremony held on Friday April 26, 2013 at the Eastwood Manor in the Bronx in recognition of outstanding citizens of the federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
This year's awards ceremony afforded the night's guests an opportunity to mingle and meet new friends and catch up with old ones. The camaraderie and upbeat mood of the guests was an indication that the event was bound to be a success.
President Mr. Pelham Warner scored the first goal of the night with a lusty rendition of the St. Kitts and Nevis national anthem and the Star Spangled Banner, the USA national anthem. Much to the delight of the audience, Warner delivered both anthems flawlessly. Without a hitch, the official segment of the night took off.
Vice President of the St. Kitts Graduates Soccer Club, Mr. Larry John offered words of appreciation to all in attendance and assured the guests that the organization will continue to improve its role in the lives of the young men they serve. John's brief remarks were followed by the invocation offered in reverence by Mrs. Yren Manning.
The evening's guests were treated to a mouth watering spread of tasty island food in which they heartily indulged with frequent visits to the well stocked open bar. The atmosphere was certainly a light yet festive mood, which the guests thoroughly seemed to enjoy.
St. Kitts-Nevis Ambassador to the USA, Mrs. Jacinth Henry-Martin spoke with deep appreciation for the opportunity to briefly acknowledge the accomplishments of both honorees for the night, namely Acting Chief United States Administrative Law Judge in the Bronx, the Honorable Selwyn S. C. Walters and Dr. Irving R. Sweeney, former St. Kitts National Football player and current Director of the Gateway to College Program at the Camden County College in New Jersey.
Ambassador Henry-Martin offered words of adulation for both honorees and commended their achievements. She also expressed how pleased she was to have been invited to be part of the celebratory event and assured guests of her continued commitment to working with all interest groups in the Diaspora for the good of the federation. Her hearty words of praise went down well with the audience. It was another goal scored for the St. Kitts Graduates Soccer Club.
The guest speaker, Acting Chief United States Administrative Law Judge in the Bronx, the Honorable Selwyn S. C. Walters, was born in Newtown, Basseterre St. Kitts. He has had a long and decorated career in the legal field. Given his remarkable achievements over the course of his life, Judge Walters was a welcome voice that brought a fresh and timely message to the people of the Diaspora. He elaborated on pursuing goals, as well as reciprocating generous acts to those in the communities from which we migrated and even those in which we currently reside. Judge Walters spoke with deep fervor about the importance of being good citizens who genuinely strive to put others first.
He reminded the guests to envision their lives as a movie where they are the directors, seeking to make their lives the best. He assured the attendees that they would never in their one lifetime get a "do over” so give this life the best shot. He admonished guests to volunteer their time to a cause, get off the couch, exercise the body, read and exercise the mind, pursue a goal placed too long on the back burner, decide today to live, to aspire, to achieve, to change lives.
He encouraged all to make more informed decisions by choosing viable avenues to offer time and resources to others eager to benefit from the good they can do. He even encouraged the audience to volunteer with the St. Kitts Graduates Soccer Club. Judge Walters indeed proved fitting of the recognition and award bestowed on him and the audience was clearly wowed by his brief but authoritative speech. He received a plaque in honor of his contributions. Judge Walters scored another powerful goal for the St. Kitts Graduates Soccer Club.
Dr. Irvin Sweeney lauded the St. Kitts Graduates Soccer Club for its continued work in the Diaspora and for remaining steadfast in its quest to scout and mentor young talented citizens. It is this level of commitment that assists the nation's young men in attaining success in academics and in the popular sport of football.
Dr. Sweeney hailed their work as a symbolic medium through which young people can use their talents and accomplished adults can in turn positively impact the lives of these impressionable young men. Just as he was influenced and mentored by accomplished footballers who helped him soar to great heights, so too he wishes would be the successes that the federation’s young people will encounter.
He suggested that as the world continues to change, our people also have to find ways to come together and address our challenges in unison. Dr. Sweeney opined that is in our uniting we will ultimately reap the successes that are awaiting us. Dr Sweeney was recognized with a plaque for his work over the years and his continued contribution to the development of football on St. Kitts and Nevis. It was yet another goal scored for the St. Kitts Graduates Soccer Club and the audience certainly enjoyed it.
The organization's President, Mr. Pelham Warner offered heartfelt words of gratitude to all for supporting the event particularly the night's guest speaker and honoree, Justice Walters, football honoree Dr. Irvin Sweeney, as well as Ambassador Henry-Martin.
As the curtains came down on the formal segment of the night, two lucky guests won prizes for correctly responding to questions asked of the audience specifically, the number of times Dr. Sweeney won the national tennis championship (5 times) and the year Justice Walters graduated from Law School. (1988). Both answers were included in the program's profile on the honorees.
The dancing and socializing went into high gear shortly after midnight. The men loosened their ties and the ladies lowered their heels and as the curtains came down on the ninth anniversary of another celebration of achievements, plans for the tenth anniversary were already being discussed.
T. Coreentje Phipps-Benjamin, Green Valley Global's Public Relations Officer chaired the night's proceedings while Sopy Don represented the diverse and heavy hitting Eternity Sounds.
The St. Kitts Graduates Soccer Club is unspeakably grateful to all who made the event a success and looks toward 2014 with great anticipation for a soccer awards tenth anniversary showdown like no other.
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