June 13, 2013 was a day of rewards for hard work for the 204 students who graduated from the H Lavity Stoutt Community College of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO

Some of the students who graduated with the Chartered Management Institute's Diploma in Management. Photo: VINO

These three, Kairon Antonio Branch Durante, Shania Diana Smith and Darius Shahile Semper were the first to be led to the stage to collect their certificates of achievement. Photo: VINO

Mr Bernard Albaric Smith Jr, in giving the response for graduates, praised his mother Flaria Maduro and aunt Varona Maduro ( left) for providing their shoulders for him to lean on. Photo: VINO

Among the graduates from Virgin Gorda was General Studies - English student Karyn Oni Elizabeth Alexander, who proved that the sky is the limit as she being physically challenged has accomplished. Photo:VINO

The sea of green that covered the lawns of the HLSCC following the graduation ceremony as family, friends and well wishers had their moments with the graduates. Photo: VINO

It was an evening of many messages from Government leaders, the administration of the HLSCC, well-wishers and persons who could be considered co-opted belongers of the Virgin Islands as in the case of President of the Anguilla Community College, Professor Delroy Louden, who in his absence had the keynote address read by Dr Joel S. Warrican of the St Vincent and Grenadines Community college.

Acting Premier Dr the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering, while giving greetings on his own behalf and the official office he holds, also did the same on behalf of the Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith who he said was away at the time addressing matters of urgency and importance to the Territory.

Dr Pickering, in his moving greetings, commended the graduates for believing in themselves and their vision for success. “We live in a world of opportunities and, if I may say so, that every single child in this country has the opportunity to achieve from a good if not a great education.” He said this should not ever be taken for granted as it was not all the case in the Virgin Islands.

He charged that it is imperative that the graduates, along with the others, must continue to work together to collectively build a steady foundation for the future development of one’s self and that of the Territory.

As it was established by the President of the HLSCC, Dr Carl Dawson, that the graduates had so aptly formed several groups during their stint at the college, one being a debating group, Dr Pickering urged that they continue to forge healthy debates that would examine different facets pertinent to the development of the Virgin Islands.

He challenged the graduates to position themselves now, whether their decision is to enter the job market or to go on to another university or college. “We are calling on you to serve in the different fields to help to grow this Territory,” said Dr Pickering.

“I know that the journey today was not at all easy. I know that you sacrificed much to reach to this mark in your lives and I know that my congratulations may be of mere words but I want that as you hear the word congratulations today and as you would hear it repeated over and over again for the next few hours, that simple word is uttered with profound pride and pleasure in knowing that as a community at our institution we were able to help you our graduates reach the significant moments in your lives,” said Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn.

He told the gathering that numbered approximately over a thousand that the Education Ministry is working assiduously to prepare the people of the Territory to assume positions across the labour market, creating standards and exposing students through the service industries and the tourism sector.

Dr Joel S. Warrican, who read the feature address on behalf of Dr Louden, urged the graduates to take a moment to think of all the sacrifices that they would have made to get to this stage and to know that it was worth the while. “You have not only done something for yourself but have accomplished something for your families and communities. Today you are joining the long line of people who have fought to succeed and have won.”

He admonished them not to let the fear of striking out hold them back but rather to take action as for every road that they would have connected with, every leader admired, every idea and tiny things accomplished is as a result of taking action.

Student Respondent – Mr Bernard Albaric Smith Jr

“I see potential for greatness in not one or even a few, but in all of us here today. However, potential is not enough to be successful and anything worth having does not come easy. Therefore it is imperative that we develop a plan for our varied paths in life for just as it is important to have a blueprint for the construction of a great design, it is equally important to create a plan in the journey of one’s life.”

Those were the words of Mr Bernard Albaric Smith Jr, whose response was met with frequent loud rounds of applause and a standing ovation at its conclusion. Mr Smith Jr had charged his colleagues to ensure that having a plan for their future was key and foremost on their agenda as according to him, they all embodied the vision of the late Honourable Hamilton Lavity Stoutt whose vision for establishing a college many years ago continues to pay dividends.

“My fellow graduates, who among us will choose to carry on the torch of greatness?” He rhetorically questioned, “Who will create legacies and have our deeds spoken of in speeches for generations to come?”

Throughout his inspirational speech, he spoke of the greatness that exists among his fellow graduates and he emphasised the importance of tapping into that greatness to charter the course of their lives.

“Greatness is overcoming adversity in spite of it all; greatness is when one uses their God-given talent to enhance the lives of others. The true greatness occurs when a man is knocked down ten times and his determination refuses to let him stay there but instead forces him to get up and try for an eleventh time and to succeed. I see these qualities in all of you and so I urge you to find your star and take the journey,” said Mr Smith Jr.

Composition of the graduating class as presented by Dr Christine D. Hodge

The 2013 graduating class of the HLSCC comprised 204 graduates-186 from HLSCC and 18 from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) 56 of 186 males (30%) and 130 are females (70%).  From the 18 CMI students, 2 are males (11%) and 16 are females (89%).

The class consisted 41 HLSCC Honour Students, which represented 22% of the class; 11 males i.e. (27%) and 30 females (73%). Thirty two Honour Students were from the Paraquita Bay Campus (78%) and nine Honour Students from the Virgin Gorda Centre (22%). Sixteen HLSCC students received multiple programme awards.

In this class, there were 33 graduating students from Virgin Gorda (17%)- the largest number of students from Virgin Gorda Centre graduating in the history of HLSCC.

There were 32 PHI Theta Kappa Members among this class – 12 males and 20 females. This class received 1 regional award for Honours in Action Project, 1 International Distinguished Award for Honours in Action Project, 1 International Distinguished Theme Award for Honours in Action Project. Six members attended and participated in the Regional and International Conferences.

The Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa is the very first Chapter located outside the United States and Canada to receive Distinguished Awards for the Honours in Action and Theme categories.

In this class, 7 students earned 2 Associate Degrees, 1 student earned 3 Associate Degrees, 3 earned an Associate Degree and 3 certificates, 1 student earned an Associate Degree and 2 certificates and 1 student earned 2 certificates.

There were 3 students in this class with a perfect 4.00 GPA (every class taken earned an A). They were Bernard Smith Jr. part time (male), Kia Barry full time (female) and Sharen Wallace full time (female).

“This is the ambitious, dedicated, self-confident, lifelong learning, motivated, caring, hardworking, intelligent, users of common sense and well-rounded 2013 Graduating Class of H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. I extend my hearty congratulations and best wishes for the future,” said Dr Christine D. Hodge.