BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THREE popular entertainers on St. Kitts devoted time from their busy schedule yesterday (Oct. 15) to speak to students of the Charles E. Mills Secondary School (CEMSS), with the hope that their attitude towards their teachers, education etc. would be revamped.
Popular DJ who is known as “The Ladies’ Defender”, Sweet Sister Sensia; lead vocalist for the Nu Vybes Band, Mr. Mention and vocalist for the KC5 Band and popular DJ and radio personality EK answered the call as part of the Operation Future programme.
Founder of the programme Constable Lauston Percival – standing before the staff and student body of the school, explained that that form of intervention was deemed necessary having been made aware of some “disappointing” and “alarming issues” where students are showing disrespect to their teachers.
The encounter between the students and the entertainers was candid and interactive.
Sweet Sister Sensia
Sweet Sister Sensia – also known as Triple S – told the students that while she wasn’t there to dictate to them the way they should live their lives, she implored them to make good choices.
She recalled her mischievous ways in school and how she succumbed to peer pressure during her secondary education.
She said her dedicated mother invested in her tertiary education and seeing the financial sacrifice made by her, she decided to “buckle down” and focus on her school work, an attitude which resulted in her graduating at the top of her class.
Speaking of a very personal experience, SSS explained that her life did not take an upward path until she began making good decisions.
“I had a boyfriend who was in gangs when I got out of school, and every day I lived, I feared for my life because every time I hear an ambulance, I wondered if it was him in the ambulance. Everything I hear of fighting or shooting, I was wondering if he got killed. And then every minute I had to be going across the station to bail him out of jail because he always got locked up.
“And then one day when he beat me up, that’s when I decided to stop. I had enough because as much as I put myself through a lot for him, he had no cause to put his hands on me and when I got out of that, that’s when my life started going uphill.”
Mr. Mention
His simple advice to the students was to identify whatever the issues are which divide them and find the appropriate solutions. He also warned the students against taking matters into their own hands but challenged them to discuss their issues with their teachers or other adults whom they trust.
“If you have a problem with a next classmate, take it to your teachers, take it to your parents, take it to somebody you could talk to and don’t take it into your own hands. All in all you come to school to have an education…try to learn as much as you can because the world today without an education, you are doomed.
“A lot of you might aspire to be singers, a lot of you might aspire to be a lot of different things but without education, it’s not gonna work… Talent is talent, but you must be educated… you must be able to read, write…”
He said everyone has differences but these “should not prevent us from co-existing and at war because the only thing war brings is sorrow”.
EK
Alumni of the Sandy Point High School – as it was then called – EK recalls that at a student, he aspired to be a police, pilot and an architect and while those dreams did not come true, it did not stop him from being successful.
The DJ and vocalist suggested to the students that their education must take precedence and the other things which they may deem important now – such as music, the bands, party sessions, cell phones and games – would be present after their education is completed.
He said being liked by everyone or being the most popular individual is not important but gaining people’s respect is.
“As long as they respect you, that is what you want. And people don’t respect people who are disruptive, rude, ignorant and uneducated and disrespectful… you have to have manners…”
Asking that all raise their right hands, EK led the students in a pledge, starting immediately, “to be the best me that I can be”.
EK sternly charged the students to, “Done wid allyou nonsense. Whatever it is that brought us here this morning, done wid it! Let it done from today! It’s not gonna profit you anything!”
The guests were thanked by Officer Percival for visiting the school and urged the students to heed their words and always show respect for their teachers.
