“I was so impressed as I read the information about this occasion about the fact that education came to this country through the hands of people of colour,” said Dr. Estrelda Y. Alexander while delivering the feature address at the occasion which recognized churches in the Virgin Islands for their contribution to the education system. Photo: VINO

President of William Seymour College, Washington D.C. Dr. Estrelda Y. Alexander spoke at a St George’s School – Primary Division gala award ceremony held at the Moorings Mariner Inn Hall on April 22, 2014 and gave recognition to the ancestors of the Virgin Islands since they recognized as ‘Black’ people the importance of their people having an education and thus started schools. Photo: VINO

It was Dr Estrelda Y. Alexander’s first time to the Caribbean and she called the Virgin Islands a beautiful place. Photo: VINO

Dr Estrelda Y. Alexander’s word to the young people was, “Don’t stop learning. Make every occasion a learning occasion.” Photo: VINO

Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn graced the occasion with his presence. Photo: VINO

The occasion was to celebrate the contribution of a number of churches in the Virgin Islands to education. Photo: VINO

“I was so impressed as I read the information about this occasion about the fact that education came to this country through the hands of people of colour,” she said while delivering the feature address at the occasion which recognized churches in the Virgin Islands for their contribution to the education system.

Dr. Alexander used the analogy of a recipe in explaining how some of the key factors to ensuring education are delivered. “Some recipes take a little nurturing… we have to stir it sometimes when we think we didn’t have to stir. We have to turn the heat down sometimes; we have to turn the heat up sometimes. Excellence does not always come together right away. We don’t always see the excellence right away.”

According to Dr. Alexander, very often Christians of the ‘Prosperity Gospel age’ tend to think that Excellence equals economic success. “So we want our children to achieve but the Bible also says what is it to gain the whole world, to gain economic success and lose your soul!”

She advised that in talking about excellence parents need to ask themselves what it is they need for their children. “We need children who understand that they have a commitment to give to our community… that the blood, sweat and tears that was shed on their behalf demands a return deposit, that they are not just taking something out of the bank but that they are putting something back in.”

The ’wows’ and ‘ahhs’ were resounding as she touched on the point that society needs children that have a calling on their lives. “I am not just talking about Ministry because half of the people there should not be there! We need to do the right things for the right reasons,” she added.

Her word to the young people was, “Don’t stop learning, don’t stop learning. Make every occasion a learning occasion.”

Loud applause filled the hall as she announced that it was her first venture out into this part of the world. “I must say this is a beautiful country. It’s my first time in the Caribbean and this is a beautiful place.”