The Valley Primary School held its annual graduation ceremony on the evening of Wednesday, July 4th at the Mount Fortune Seventh-day Adventist Church in East End. The theme of the event was: “Attitude is the Little Thing That Means Everything”. This ceremony marked the final primary school graduation in a series of seven that had been making the news, recently, towards the end of the school year.
The program began with Tr. Roxana Brooks ably mastering the rendering of the National Anthem, following a bright ‘n brilliant golden-gown procession down the aisle of the spacious edifice that had been transformed by beautiful gold decor.
The jubilant voices of the Class of 2018 Choir were then raised in the singing of the Anguilla National Song. Mr. Hulio Carty Jr. offered an inspirational prayer of thanksgiving, making supplication for the blessings of God on the graduate’s future pursuits as they enter a new phase of their education at the ALHCS, next school year.
Welcome remarks were made by Ms. Artesha Richardson, a former student of VPS. Apart from her cordial welcome to the entire audience, she had the following special message for the graduating students:
“Graduates, congratulations! You have reached a landmark in the field of your education, but it would do you good to listen to the words of Catherine Pulsifer: ‘Graduation is a time of completion, of finishing, of an ending; however, it is also a time of celebration, of achievement and of a new beginning for new graduates.’
“Yes, you are making a new beginning. New beginnings start tonight as you move away from the routine and familiarity of primary school and on to the new territory of the secondary. Your first order of business now should be your behavior.”
Such an admonition was followed by an appropriate poem entitled “Eight Tips for Success”, delivered by renowned community poet and youngsters’ coach, Mr. Alexis Ryan. The Class of 2018 aptly responded with a dance called “How Far I’ll Go”.
The Dep. Principal, Ms. Tiffany Thomas, then introduced the Keynote Speaker, in the person of Ms. Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers, the current Miss Anguilla 2017-2018. In her thought-provoking address, Ms. Kentish Rogers focused on one element pertinent to the graduation’s theme, the subject of “attitude”. She equated one’s attitude in life with “sugar” that adds sweetness to everything.
She remarked: “For Anguillians, there is one ingredient that makes pea soup all the more tasty. This one ingredient is sugar. This evening, I will talk about this one ingredient which makes all the difference in your lives. It’s an ingredient just like sugar, but all the more sweeter when it is positive — attitude. Unlike almost everything else in your life, your attitude is something which you have 100% control over. You can change it gradually or in an instant.
“You would know by now, graduating class, that life is not always smooth sailing. Sometimes you might not get the grades that you want, or you may not make it on the football or track team. But changing your attitude allows you to see every challenge as an opportunity to get better.
“Everything you face in life is going to be a challenge. Going to high school is going to be a challenge. You won’t have all the same friends. You will have different teachers. When you have challenges and problems at school, add some sugar by displaying a positive attitude. If you find something about school that is annoying you, and making you frustrated, just add some sugar by showing a positive attitude. Just add some sugar. A sugary attitude makes life worthwhile and sweet.”
The presentation of certificates and awards followed the keynote address, after which Tr. Desiree Richardson introduced the valedictorian, Rayanna Webster. The theme song, “I Believe”, was sung by the entire Class of 2018, followed by the Vote of thanks delivered by the salutatorian, Gabrielle Davies.
We at The Anguillian take this opportunity to congratulate all the Classes of 2018 of the seven primary schools. Indeed, we wish them great success in all their future educational pursuits.
