“A Journey of a thousand miles begins with one step,” was the theme of the graduation ceremony of the Morris Vanterpool Primary School on Thursday evening, June 30. The event was held at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church which was specially decorated for that purpose.
Principal of the school, Mr. Michael Skellekie, welcomed the large and appreciative audience and said that twelve students – four boys and eight girls – were listed for graduation. He was particularly grateful to an anonymous donor who had kindly paid for the dinner for all twelve graduates at CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa. He was pleased to introduce, Mr. Vanburn Brooks, an Architect and former student at East End, as the Chairman of the graduation ceremony.
The Keynote Speaker was Mrs. Nashara Webster-Wilkes, a former student of the school, an island scholarship winner and an currently employee at the Ministry of Finance. Her address, based on the learning process, was delivered in her absence by her husband, Mr. Zuri Wilkes, a teacher at the Orealia Kelly Primary School.
The presentation of Certificates and Awards were done by Mr, Lowell Hodge, one of the parents, assisted by teacher Avecia Webster. The Valedictorian was Frans Louis Guinto and the Salutatorian Alyssa Simon.
There were two categories of awards. The first special presentations and the recipients were as follows:
• Award for ICT: Tiandra Carter.
• The Laura Ruan Award and for being the Most Outstanding Female Athlete: Tiandra Carter.
• Awards for Valedictorian and Salutatorian: Frans Louis Guinto and Alyssa Simon respectively.
• The Franklin Richardson Award for the Most Outstanding Male Athlete: Omar Hodge.
• Delta Petroleum ‘Going the Extra Mile Award’: Omar Hodge
• The RAPF Corporate Citizen Award: Alyssa Simon
• P.E. Coaches Sports Award (Female): Alyssa Simon
• P.E. Coaches Sports Award (Male): Shaelen Hughes Hodge
• The Sylvene Petty Award for Best Behaved Student: Alyssa Simon
• The Sylvene Petty Award for Most Improved Academic Performance: Khaleel Barrett.
The following were the School Awards
• Frans Louis Guinto: Most Outstanding Student in Language Arts, Science, Mathematics, Social Studies and Spanish and Most Outstanding Female CPEA Student
• Omar Hodge: Outstanding Performance in Mathematics
• Khaleel Barrett: Outstanding Performances in Language Arts and Social Studies and Most Outstanding Male CPEA Student
• Shaelen Hughes-Hodge: Outstanding Performance in Science, Most Outstanding in Attendance and Punctuality
• Sharmeka Connor: Most Improved CPEA Student
• Alyssa Simon: Most Outstanding Performance in Music and Most Outstanding in Attendance and Punctuality
• Chrishanna Sutton: Outstanding Academic Improvement
• Carlitza Rogers: Outstanding Performance in Writing and Creativity
• Malakhi Carty: Most Helpful Male Student
• Amari Wilson: Most Helpful Female Student, Outstanding Behaviour
• Valnesha Brooks: Steady Improvement in Conduct; and
• Tiandra Carter: Steady Improvement in Conduct
During the programme, special recognition was paid to two parents. The recipients were Althea and Lowell Hodge (parents of Omar Hodge).
