The afternoon of Wednesday, June 11th, saw the graduation ceremony of twenty-nine preschoolers from Thelma’s Education Garden (TEG) at the Royal Caribbean Hotel in Little Harbour. It was a phenomenal ceremony under the theme “Facing the Future with Flying Colors”.
TEG is Anguilla’s newest preschool institute. Established in 2021 by its principal, Teacher Thelma Griffin-Proctor, the school has grown by leaps and bounds, charted by Teacher Thelma’s 33 years of preschool education experience, coupled with a wealth of teaching knowledge of its dedicated staff.
Proud parents, grandparents, friends and acquaintances of the little ones filled the auditorium to witness the fourth grand occasion. Congratulations were in order. TEG’s preschoolers had achieved their first level of academia.
The ceremony began as each child was escorted into the auditorium to meet with their parents before the stage. Standing between their parents, each child posed for a keepsake graduation photo, after which he or she was escorted to an assigned seat by a designated teacher.
Moderator of the ceremony was gospel radio personality, Pastor Jerome Harrigan. Prayer was offered by Mr. Quincy Gumbs Jr., and the National song was lustily rendered by the Graduating Class, accompanied by their teachers. Welcome remarks were then delivered by Teacher Gennis Reid who expressed what a great privilege it was to see the children developing over the years.
“It is a great day to celebrate today,” she remarked. “On the behalf or TEG, I heartily welcome you to this grand occasion. It was such a privilege to see the little ones growing and achieving over the past three years. Today, we come together to recognize how far they have come, and to celebrate with them the exciting path that lies ahead.”
Teacher Thelma herself gave quite an impressive overview of the institute. She commended the skillful work of her staff, and shared with the audience the many activities that transpired at the school over the last year.
“We began the school year on September 2nd, 2024 with 76 preschool students – 34 girls and 42 boys. Currently, there are 40 students at TEG playschool, making a total of 116 students. This is a true testament to the trust and confidence that parents have placed in us,” she said. “At Thelma’s Educational Garden, our commitment to education and excellence are evident in the remarkable growth that we have experience in our students.”
Following the singing of the School Song, the Guest Speaker for the evening, former Principal of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, Mrs. Rita Celestine Carty, was introduced by Teacher Gloria Henry. Mrs. Carty expressed her delight to be in the midst of TEG’s Graduating Class of 2025, and she took note of the potential that the young students are capable of portraying over the years to come.
“What these children grow up to be and to do can affect us all positively or negatively,” she said. “Today, they are five in 2025. In 2037, they will be seventeen years old. And at the end of the compulsory school journey, according to the laws of Anguilla, we are to ask ourselves, ‘Who will they be then?’
“In addition to the academic qualifications which we all prize and promote, what attitudes will these young people have towards their country? Will they be helpers? Who will support them and help them to become helpers? Do we expect them to become helpers by themselves?
“We may say that a lot of this starts at home, but from what I see here today, I can see that Thelma’s Education Garden has being doing quite a lot with these children over the years….But the help and support for these children must be extended to them from the community. We must consider how we support these young people, not only through school, but through life in the community that we share with them,” she stressed.
Giving a passionate tribute to the parents was a brilliant little graduate, Ms. Zoey Boasman. “Parents, you nurtured and protected us. You taught us with great care, And every time we needed you, You were always there. Parents, you made sure that we had our basic needs for school. We know that you are filled with emotion, And you are proud of us too,” she recited.
The Most Outstanding Student of TEG was Lae-la Vanterpool, who was introduced by last year’s Most Outstanding Student, Master Shemuel Wills. Little Ms. Vanterpool presented a stunning speech, dubbed “Reflections”. In part she declared: “Today I am here with mixed feelings. Thelma’s Education Garden has changed our lives and we have grown so much. We were taught our letters, numbers and shapes, and we learnt how to play together…preparing us for Primary School.” Altogether, her brief speech was captivating, and the audience was enraptured by her bold delivery.
As is the case with all graduations, certificates were issued and many awards were distributed to deserving students. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by graduate D’Naire Duncan, after which the young students observed the recessional from the auditorium, each escorted by their parents.
Thelma’s Education Garden would like to express its gratitude to the following entities: Banx Professional Services; Sunset Homes; Heavenly Real Estate; Hi-Tek Signs and Designs; Blue Sea Anguilla Limited; B.B Tours; Dee & J Appliances; Belmond Cap Juluca; NCBA; Rebel Marine; Digicel; Trident Trust Company (Anguilla) Ltd.; Andrea Mills-Rey; Rena Ruan and Benjamin Group of Companies.
