As usual at this time of year there are a series of graduation ceremonies being held around the island. Children and young adults are graduating from Preschool, Elementary School, High School, Sixth Form, Learning Centers, Community College, as well as those abroad in various Universities. And I have noticed that the organizers, which include mainly parents and teachers, go all out to make them grand affairs. It is difficult to attend every ceremony where you may have children, grandchildren, relatives, godchildren, or just friends — but very often you are made to feel a little guilty by the parents who are proud (and understandably so) about their “little graduant”. It is only after some reflection that some remember how they behaved when their little one were achieving this milestone event.
My first graduation ceremony for this year was that of the Vivien Vanterpool Primary SchoolinIslandHarbour. How did I get there? My godson’s parents made sure that I was in attendance. It was obviously a proud moment for his parents. Of course, as with all youngsters, he may have had mixed feelings and was most likely focusing on missing his friends upon moving to Campus B next year — or just simply wondering what it would be like at another school. In fact, the Valedictorian cried while delivering a very moving speech. I am sure that her tears were not about the many awards and prizes she won — they were most likely about leaving a place where she had spent the last six or seven years of her life. Which again brought me full circle to the reality of the graduating experience — it is often more about the parents than the children. In any case it is a good thing! Given the times we are living in, it is indeed a great achievement for the parents.
I believe that this very pertinent anecdote may highlight the true nature of some graduation celebrations. One afternoon, last week, just after six o’clock, I was taking my regular swim atCrocusBaywhen I noticed a convoy of vehicles heading to Da’Vidas Restaurant. Upon coming a little closer to the shore I observed a group of well-dressed patrons on the reserved upper deck of the Restaurant. When I finally got out of the water I inquired from one of the usual denizens ofCrocusBay: “Boy who get married today?” To which he promptly replied: “Boy no!That’s a Preschool Graduation celebration!” Another regular interjected: “Boy we ain’t got no recession for true!”
The conversation that ensued was in the form of a debate on the merits and demerits of graduation celebrations. A strongly held view was that graduations were becoming too commercialized and expensive. In support of that viewpoint, the question was asked whether a child going to Preschool really understood what was happening? And the specific issue raised was who was really enjoying the fine dining at Da’Vidas,the preschooler or his parents? One of the economists in the group then strongly suggested that the youngster would have definitely preferred a Pizza Party.There was some consensus on this point but, eventually, the conclusion was that – whatever the motives of parents – the whole idea was to show love and concern for important events in the lives of children.
By the way, I thoroughly enjoyed the graduation ceremony atIslandHarbour. It was indeed a grand affair. The hall was tastefully decorated and one could sense that parents and teachers put a lot of effort in getting everything together. There were great performances by the students and excellent presentations by the speakers and sponsors. And it was obvious that there was strong community support to enhance the quality of the school environment and student education.
I am not foolhardy enough to run the risk of giving the impression that theVivienVanterpoolPrimary School’s Graduation was better than any of the others that I have and will in the future attend. However, like every other such ceremony, I have found that this is the time that I feel a great sense of hope for the future of our nation. And, to be quite honest, I marvel at the number of exceptional young people coming out of our education system. It reaffirms for me the fact that positive youngsters are definitely in the majority.
Yet, having attended such exercises over the years and seen the number of fine young people progressing successfully through the system, I am forced to ask the question: how and at which point do we lose some of our youngsters to negative influences? What do we have to do reach out to them? It is a dilemma that requires more than casual analysis even though many of us seem to have the answers. But it is the graduation exercise that brings this positive reality into focus.
Through observing these graduation exercises, I have also noticed that there are a lot of dedicated teachers in the system. The quality of their work with the students in the performing arts programs; athletics; and the various sports is phenomenal. They show a keen interest in the children’s development beyond the call of duty. Such individuals are easily identified at school events.
The community and corporate society are always very present at these events. They seem to contribute readily, and willingly, to most requests from the school system and even in these times of challenge continue to be supportive. This is a good sign for addressing some of the critical needs being identified in the wider society. I was amazed at the level of philanthropy exhibited atIslandHarbouron Tuesday – as well as at theAlwynAllisonPrimary SchoolinWest Endtwo months ago at the official opening of its new classrooms and facilities.
I am sure that there will be a few more graduation exercises which I will attend this season, but I am certain that my observations will be pretty much the same. There will be three key groups always driving the process, namely, the parents, the teachers and the community. Inevitably, there will be the appearance of competition, as every school will be trying to outdo the other. But, like all competitions, this will only help to improve the quality of the products and the efficiency of the services. In this case the products will be good students, and the services dedicated teachers. I believe that the customers, namely, the parents and the community, will be satisfied.
I have therefore come full circle with my moot regarding the value of graduation ceremonies. While I acknowledge the concerns of the skeptics who believe that they may be becoming too commercial — I am certain that budgets can be adjusted to fit the times. That issue, therefore, has nothing to do with celebrating the achievements of a youngster. It has more to do with responsible spending by the parent or parents.
On the question of whether graduation is about the student or the parent I believe that there is an element for both. The parent is celebrating the fact that perhaps he/she has been a successful parent, and the student realizes that his/her parent really cares about his/her education and training. The students feel the love and it impacts their lives. And because of that love they want to do better so that they can receive even more.
The audience at graduations will feel a sense of hope for the future as it witnesses the quality students that are progressing through the system. It is a refreshing change from the constant flow of negative publicity about our Youth. We need to know that our sacrifices, as citizens, for our children and grandchildren would not be in vain.
And finally, the teachers get a great sense of satisfaction that they have been able to produce a young man/woman with the tools to take on the future. It gives them the strength and encouragement to carry on. They also shine at graduation!
So let me take this opportunity to congratulate all graduants, parents, teachers and the Community for achieving these milestones this year. They will all be shining on these occasions. And let me thank Teacher Patricia Adams for capturing the essence of these experiences so brilliantly in her composition: “There’s a star in each of us!”, arranged by Teacher Lennox Vanterpool and sung so beautifully by the Vivien Vanterpool Primary School Choir. Shine on!!
