The beaming graduates of BFEC yesterday afternoon July 5, 2012. Photo: Aneka Edwards/VINO

The Catholic Community Centre was packed to capacity to witness the graduation of 27 students from the Bregado Flax Educational Centre Secondary Division. Photo: Aneka Edwards/VINO

And as J’Verne Findlay, the school’s Salutatorian perfectly put it “this tassel was worth the hassle”.

Out of the 27 graduates, 24 secured grade ones and three grade twos. In addition to that, 15 were honour students. Caryl O’Neal, the proud Principal of the school, declared that teachers and parents should bask in the students’ success because she is sure that “they were vital in the equation”.

To the 2012 graduating class, she impressed upon them that their roles as citizens of the Virgin Islands is key.

“You need to have an attitude about your country…it is imperative that you are always conscious. It is necessary that you maximize your potential in every possible area so that love and loyalty to your country results in making it the best part of the world. It is important that you never, never feel ashamed or afraid to claim these islands as your own,” she stated.

Keynote speaker, Dalan Vanterpool gave a short and motivational speech to the graduates, and appealed to them to dream big, play hard and work smart.

Meanwhile, Education and Culture Minister Hon. Myron Walwyn lamented on the fact that “day in and day out” he sees many young people sitting on the side-lines trying to find opportunities to participate in the development of the society.

He congratulated the graduates on their accomplishments and on the path to becoming young adults.

“I want to say that the Virgin Islands need your youthful enthusiasm, your fertile mind, your aptitude for technology and your innovative talents to help us develop the Virgin Islands right now. We need you to return the leadership of our country in all areas to the individuals that call these islands our home.”

The Territory’s leader, Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith echoed similar sentiments and told the graduates that the VI needs to develop a spirit of entrepreneurship and inventiveness.

The Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Seventeen year-old Tahirah Bascombe, who is also a soccer player, is the school’s Valedictorian. She admitted that the extra-curricular activities, including being a part of the Spanish Club and Spelling B competition, contributed to her success and personal development.

She also acknowledged the efforts of her mother in keeping her focused and not to fall asleep before studying.

Her advice for her fellow graduates who may go on to pursue their studies or enter the work force is “guard yourself from becoming shipwrecked.”

“In life powerful currents will compromise and catch the soul and carry it to shipwreck. Some of these currents include temptation to use illegal drugs or alcohol, an addiction to Facebook, excessive television use and a strong desire to get rich quickly.”

Furthermore, the Salutatorian, Findlay urged the students who did not make the cut to not live in the past.

“Failure teaches us things that we can’t learn anywhere else,” he added.

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