‘It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish’- Raul R. Sprauve
ROAD TOWN, Tortola VI- The 147 graduating students of the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) have been told that, despite the challenges they may have gone through or are still facing, things can get better with hard work and dedication.
This very encouraging message was delivered to the students at their graduation ceremony held at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex, Tortola, on Thursday June 27, 2019.
The Valedictorian of the 2019 class was Kaylian B. Penn and the Salutatorian was Shaquille J. Christopher.
During his Welcome Message, Mr Christopher, who was presented with an Exemplary Performance Award for maintaining an “A” average every year, every term and in every subject from Grade 7 to Grade 12, said “Life is not for those who tire or those who concede; We have to wake up every day and recommit to our purpose and our goals.”
He then encouraged his fellow graduates to follow their own way. “Take the road less travelled,” he said, “Innovate, work hard , play hard , be honest, be kind, be on time, laugh loudly, reflect, enjoy the journey no matter the destination, and above all, be prepared because the world awaits.”
Ms Penn, in her Student Respondent Message, told her fellow graduates, “this is not the end of the road; we are a chosen generation and we are destined for great things.”
Ms Penn, who received an Exemplary Performance Award for maintaining an “A” average every year and every term from Grade 7 to Grade 12, thanked parents, especially hers, and the teachers for helping the graduates get to where they are today.
The top student especially acknowledged two teachers, Kirsten Lettsome from the Science Department and Andre S. L. Brathwaite of the Fine Arts Department. “They were right there along with us, even working both shifts, but not once did they give up,” said the Valedictorian.
Meanwhile, Tariq Fahie received an Exemplary Performance Award for maintaining an “A” average every year from Grade 7 to Grade 12.
Of the graduating class, 81 were Honours students, 22 did one or more CAPE subjects and 15 were dually-enrolled.
Many other awards were presented to graduates from businesses and institutions such as Ernest and Young, Road Town Wholesale Ltd, The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board and much more.
‘It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish’
The Keynote Speaker, Mr Raul R. Sprauve aka ‘Juggo’, is a Physical Education teacher, the CEO of Homegrown Studios and a musician playing in a popular local band called VIBE. He also manages Home Grown Studios Sound System Rentals and BVI Hot Press Advertising and Promotions.
Mr Sprauve told the graduating class about his own secondary education. “Skipping class was the norm. For me, school was not a place to learn. It was a place to chill with friends, crack jokes, and of course, look girls.”
“That’s how I continued my school until I got to third form, chilling and repeating,” continued Mr Sprauve. However, his then principal, Elmore Stoutt , came to him one day to give him an opportunity to improve himself or else he would get ‘shipped out’ from school.
“So of course my friends and I came up with something real quick”, said Mr Sprauve. “We joined the choir,” Mr Sprauve shared, much to the amusement of the audience.
This, he said, was his turning point.
He said, “You see? Thank God- It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”
The Keynote Speaker went on to talk about his experience in England while studying to get an Associate’s Degree in Sports Science. He struggled financially, mentioning only having £20 a week sometimes and recording music with other artists in a laundry room.
However, he repeated, it’s not how you start. It’s how you finish.
“I wrote down some outrageous goals: I want to be the boss. I want to do what makes me happy and I want to earn more money. The timeframe was now,” said Mr Sprauve.
Then is when he took the ‘bold step’ to entrepreneurship.
He continued, “that goal setting moved me from frustration to fulfilment; from un-achievement to success and satisfaction.”
Mr Sprauve concluded by telling the graduates, “Don’t be afraid to follow your goals. Don’t be afraid to fail. Study hard. Work hard. Remember, rule number uno: it’s not how you start. It’s how you finish.”
‘The world is yours’
Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) also spoke at the ESHS Graduation Ceremony.
Also in attendance were First Lady Sheila E. Forbes-Fahie; Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert; Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), Deputy Speaker and At Large Representative, Hon Neville A. Smith and Speaker of the House of Assembly Hon Julian Willock.
Dr Wheatley, in his remarks, shared with the audience his relationship with rap music and the influence it had on him and his friends in high school in the 90s. He then said “so my remarks today will be partly inspired by the music I used to listen to as a teenager.”
“Students, to quote one of my favourite artistes, Nas, I want you to know that ‘The world is yours,’” said the Minister.
He went on to praise the achievements of the Elmore Stoutt High School, including for producing the top 10 students of the territory this year. “Well, if you don’t know…”
“Now you know!” replied the audience. This phrase was a popular lyric from the hit song ‘Juicy’ by The Notorious BIG.
The minister concluded by quoting more lyrics from ‘Juicy’, “You know very well who you are. Don’t let them hold you down. Reach for the stars”.
He lastly encouraged them to “seek ways to make a contribution to the redevelopment of the Virgin Islands.”
‘The value of collaboration’
Hon Rymer expressed that he thought deeply of what message he could give to the graduates, as he wanted to say something that would be beneficial and applicable in their lives, work and/or further educational pursuits.
He said he came up with the value of collaboration.
“True collaboration is hard work, but it yields powerful results,” he said.
Hon Rymer also stated that it is through hard work and dedication that success is achieved; a concept that he said the graduating class had already grasped since they made it this far.
'Write successes while changing the world’
Acting Principal, Mrs Vanessa Garraway told the graduates to put God first in all that they do so He can guide them. “It’s not going to always be easy,” she said. “Just know that God is always in control”.
Mrs Garraway said “Class of 2019, I have gotten to know you as Academic Principal and now as Principal and you are an inspiration to me as you have reminded me why I am an educator”. She said she has seen the good, the bad and also the ‘limitless’ potential that the graduates have.
“So, go, spread your wings and write successes while changing the world,” Principal Garraway charged.
.png)
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
3 Responses to “‘It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish’- Raul R. Sprauve”
Thank god for February 25, 2019 yall