Just over forty graduates from Sixth Form of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School have been told that, like the young people who voted overwhelmingly for the United Kingdom to remain in the European Union, they are global citizens and should do what they think is in their best interest.
The timely and important advice came from Mrs. Chanelle Petty Barrett, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Youth, Culture, Sports and Library Services. She was at the time addressing the outgoing students at their graduation ceremony on Monday evening, June 27, at the Rodney MacArthur Rey Auditorium. She spoke on behalf of the Minister, Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers, who was off the island.
Mrs. Petty Barrett spoke to the graduating students soon after their appealing rapturous music and dance entry, into the auditorium, to the cheers of the large gathering. She told them in part: “You would have entered the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School as anxious, perhaps self-conscious first formers, but you are now exiting either as adults, or on the cusp of adulthood. The fact that you have steered the course and remained sufficiently focused to ensure your presence here this evening, is highly commendable. On behalf of the Government and people of Anguilla, I congratulate all of you on reaching this milestone.”
The Permanent Secretary continued: “A few days ago, the people of the United Kingdom voted in a referendum to decide whether their country should leave or remain in the European Union. This vote, commonly referred to as the Brexit Vote, served to demonstrate the deep divide that exists in that country. What is interesting is that while the end result was the decision to leave, the majority of young people, ages 18-24 years old – 75% according to reports – voted to remain in the European Union. This tells me that the group, who would be most impacted in the long run by the decision, are overwhelmingly not in favour of it. Since then, social media has been bombarded with a litany of pundits giving their views. Most telling for me, though, were the words of one young lady who indicated that she, and other young people, voted to remain because, and I quote ‘we are global citizens’.
“Now, why is this relevant to you? More than any other time in your school life, Sixth Form is a time of social awakening. What I mean by this is that the experience awakens your social consciousness to the extent that you are much more in tune with what is happening in Anguilla, and the rest of the world, with regard to issues like politics, the economy, environmental degradation, healthcare and social upheaval. You are global citizens. It is my hope that your experience at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School would have instilled in you the virtues of tolerance, understanding and compassion which you need to coexist peacefully with others. Therefore, when you exit these doors, you should not fall prey to the influences of prejudice, hate, racial, religious and national stereotyping and insularity that seem to have taken over world leaders, political hopefuls and the minds of everyday citizens. You are leaders. Not just in the future, but right here, right now. You have the right to demand the type of world you want to live in and the responsibility to help to shape that world. Do not be deterred or discouraged when things don’t go the way that you would want them to, but continue to press on. You are leaving this school equipped with the tools you need to progress in your educational journey and – the confidence, courage, and analytical mind necessary to blaze trails rather than simply follow the beaten path.
“I urge all of you to go forward in faith knowing that you are well prepared – and always demonstrate gratitude for the support of your teachers, parents, extended family and friends, without which you would not have made it this far. As I congratulate you, I also congratulate all of them because I am more than certain that it took tremendous effort on their part to prepare you for the future that is now within your reach. Congratulations Class of 2016 and best wishes.”
The keynote speaker was Mr. Rudy Webster, Deputy Director of the Department of Information Technology and e-Government Services where he has been employed since 1999. Referring to the theme of the Graduation Ceremony, A Breath Away From Victory, he told the graduating students: “In an ideal world having the best education with the best grades would need to bathe yourself in a champagne shower of success, but this world is far from being ideal so you will need to add a few extra breaths. By making it here today, you have already brought yourself so far to what you can accomplish, and the finish line is surely in sight. My advice to you is to complement your education with effort, effort, and more effort.
“Let your selling point be that you are willing to outgrow any and everyone around you. Set a standard for yourself so high that anyone trying to outdo you knows that he or she has his or her work cut out for them to match your effort. Let it be known that while they relax, take days off – while they are in their fourth round of sleep – you are toiling upward through the night well prepared and ready to siege your victorious opportunity, whenever it comes along, with both hands – a breath away from victory, but with a tank of breath to spare.
“Congratulations to the Class of 2016. The world is there for you to seize. Take a deep breath and make the final push and go and get it. Good luck.”
The presentation of Certificates and Awards was performed by the Principal of the School, Mrs. Joyce Webster-Stuart, assisted by Mrs. Rita Celestine-Carty and Mrs. Veneshaw Richardson. In addition, twelve of the students received awards from a number of business places for outstanding performance in various subjects. Special Presentations and Awards were made to the Debating Society, Orange House and the Graduation Committee.
Congratulatory remarks were delivered to the graduates by the Principal who offered them her best wishes as they proceed in life. The programme was chaired by Ms. Regine Niles, an earlier graduate of the Comprehensive School.
