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‘It’s time to write your own story’ – Mot. Speaker Rashad Jones

-Schoolgirls challenged to know they are special even if not ever told by a male person
“Four things to remember – lead your life, make great choices, have no more excuses and go get what you want out of this life.” This was the ultimate challenge internationally acclaimed Motivational Speaker of the USA Organisation EPIC Mr Rashad Jones gave hundreds of High School students. Photo: VINO
Speaking for the Elmore Stoutt High School were Kaniyah Hill and Jaline Malone Kathelyn Archibald-Drew of the CEDAR International College, Akeem Williams of the Seventh-day Adventist School and from St Georges Chris-Tiann Roberts. Supporting the those students at the head table were panelist Mr Raul “Jugo” Sprauve, a businessman, educator and member of VIBE and the man that sits at the helm of the Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) Mr Stacey Mather. Photo: VINO
Speaking for the Elmore Stoutt High School were Kaniyah Hill and Jaline Malone Kathelyn Archibald-Drew of the CEDAR International College, Akeem Williams of the Seventh-day Adventist School and from St Georges Chris-Tiann Roberts. Supporting the those students at the head table were panelist Mr Raul “Jugo” Sprauve, a businessman, educator and member of VIBE and the man that sits at the helm of the Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) Mr Stacey Mather. Photo: VINO
Young Peer Panelists of ESHS Jaline Malone being supported by President Elect of Rotary Club of Tortola Julien N. Johnson. Photo: VINO
Young Peer Panelists of ESHS Jaline Malone being supported by President Elect of Rotary Club of Tortola Julien N. Johnson. Photo: VINO
Public Relations Officer of the Rotary Club of Tortola Lynette L. Harrigan assisting a student of the ESHS. Photo: VINO
Public Relations Officer of the Rotary Club of Tortola Lynette L. Harrigan assisting a student of the ESHS. Photo: VINO
A section of the audience included students from the CEDAR International College. Photo:VINO
A section of the audience included students from the CEDAR International College. Photo:VINO
Some of the 1,000 students from the ESHS who were at the youth forum. Photo: VINO
Some of the 1,000 students from the ESHS who were at the youth forum. Photo: VINO
Rotary Assistant Deputy Governor (ADG) Mrs Delma Maduro gave students a quick overview of what Rotary is about and its commitment to youth development. Photo: VINO
Rotary Assistant Deputy Governor (ADG) Mrs Delma Maduro gave students a quick overview of what Rotary is about and its commitment to youth development. Photo: VINO
Students were given the opportunity to field questions to their peers stemming from which were concerns of teachers not respecting students, complaints of bullying not being responded to in a timely manner and being punished for taking videos of fights with the sole intention of giving to the school’s administration as evidence of the incident. Photo: VINO
Students were given the opportunity to field questions to their peers stemming from which were concerns of teachers not respecting students, complaints of bullying not being responded to in a timely manner and being punished for taking videos of fights with the sole intention of giving to the school’s administration as evidence of the incident. Photo: VINO
Honourable Myron V. Walwyn told the students that life is not only about academics and challenged that the grasp all they possibly could have from the forum. Photo: VINO
Honourable Myron V. Walwyn told the students that life is not only about academics and challenged that the grasp all they possibly could have from the forum. Photo: VINO
In challenging the students he told them that it is time for them to start writing their own story as a reflection of where they started out to where they are heading. “Whatever you want in life, get up, get out and go get it,” said Mr Jones. Photo: VINO
In challenging the students he told them that it is time for them to start writing their own story as a reflection of where they started out to where they are heading. “Whatever you want in life, get up, get out and go get it,” said Mr Jones. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – “Four things to remember – lead your life, make great choices, have no more excuses and go get what you want out of this life.” This was the ultimate challenge internationally acclaimed motivational speaker Mr Rashad Jones gave hundreds of High School students.

It was the occasion of the Rotary Club of Tortola’s Annual Youth Forum held earlier today October 2, 2014 at the Multi Purpose Sports Complex, Road Town, Tortola.

That message was a drop in the bucket of the wealth of information that was fed to the students not only by Mr Jones but also by their peers who stood boldly at the podium to speak on a number of issues that surround the effective growth and development of youths in the areas of peace, conflict and resolution.

Speaking for the Elmore Stoutt High School were Kaniyah Hill who challenged his peers on the topic of bullying and conflict resolution and Jaline Malone who also did conflict resolution. Speaking on peer pressure was Kathelyn Archibald-Drew of the CEDAR International College, Akeem Williams of the Seventh-day Adventist School touched on the topic of respect and from St Georges speaking on self-esteem was Chris-Tiann Roberts.

Supporting the those students at the head table were panelist Mr Raul “Jugo” Sprauve, a businessman, educator and member of VIBE and the man that sits at the helm of the Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) Mr Stacey Mather.

Students were given the opportunity to field questions to their peers stemming from which were concerns of teachers not respecting students, complaints of bullying not being responded to in a timely manner and being punished for taking videos of fights with the sole intention of giving to the school’s administration as evidence of the incident.

It was after the peer to peer interaction that Mr Jones took to the floor and throughout his presentation students were given treats for the boldness in responding to questions and participating in demonstrations. One female student even won a cash incentive.

He used illustrations of his life which was not one that was brilliant and glossy throughout his childhood to inspire the students. He even took special time out to remind the girls that it does not have to take a man to remind or affirm their beauty and charisma.

“Young ladies you may never have a young man tell you and mean it and not expect something from you in return, I want to let you every single one of you young lady in this room know that you are beautiful, you are special, you are worthy of being something….,” he said to them.

In challenging the students he told them that’s it is time for them to start writing their own story as a reflection of where they started out to where they are heading, “Whatever you want in life, get up, get out and go get it,” said Mr Jones.

He also admonished the students of the schools to make this year one that is free of fights and once accomplished at no expense whichever school achieves the challenge he will return to for another motivational session at no cost to the school, the Rotary Club of Tortola or any other local body.

Others briefly addressed the students this morning were Rotarian and Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn, Rotary Assistant Deputy Governor Mrs Delma Maduro and President of Rotary Club of Tortola Mr Henry O. Creque.

President Elect Mr Julien N. Johnson chaired the programme which saw Rotarian and Speaker of the House of Assembly Honourable Ingrid A. Moses giving the vote of thanks.

The team heads to Virgin Gorda tomorrow for the conduct of a similar forum for students of that Island as well as students expected from Anegada and Jost Van Dyke.

8 Responses to “‘It’s time to write your own story’ – Mot. Speaker Rashad Jones”

  • pat (02/10/2014, 18:19) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    We must be very careful in who we pushing up in front as so called youth leaders
  • xxxxxxxx (02/10/2014, 22:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    deeds public officers need to stay at the office and do some honest-to-gosh WORK - a four letter word the vast majority of Government employees never heard of!

  • mary j (02/10/2014, 23:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    A pipe dream by the Speaker
  • World Gone Crazy!!! (03/10/2014, 04:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Tortola for hosting an event that proactively addresses many of the issues facing our youth.
  • insider (03/10/2014, 06:38) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    Good job rotary but stop trying to compete with shurn club he has more resources than ayo
  • Yes (03/10/2014, 08:18) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    People in BVI spend a lot of money bringing in this person and that person, for a brief one day session. Spreading all these so called positive ideas then they are gone! No practical plan in place to implement their ideas and children left in same predicament that they were before the speakers spoke.

    We need practical solutions and implementation from people that are going to remain here and actually produce. Not throw an arbitrary idea or concept out and then they and their message are on the next plane out of here.

    The money spent would have been more better spent on a program already in place here that is working to help with change. We have to understand that we didn't get in this situation overnight and there isn't an overnight fix for it either. Stop bringing in outsiders to deliver a message when they only been briefed on the problems and lets start working with the soldiers who are already established here in the trenches with the children everyday, that's who need our moral and monetary support. Not professional speakers, we need professional changers.

    We here are so bouyed by bringing in someone from US like it's some big deal while our children still suffer. Words are not going to fix the situation our children are in, only actions. I can think of several youth oriented programs who could have benefited from the funding spent on this one day event. I could imagine that some programs could have possibly run for several months off of the money used on this single day event, and still a day later and has anything changed.

    I'm not knocking the activity because I was there and the message was positive but I'm saying that with the resources so limited I think that money could have been better spent on youth programs than youth messages. Give the do'ers the money, the talkers are what got us in this situation in the first place, right?
    • lol@lol (03/10/2014, 19:59) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yo. You sure did a lot of talking for someone who believes that talking is a waste of time.

      A multifaceted approach is what is needed to address practically all our issues. The sit back, criticize and do nothing philosophy will get you no-where.

      Feel free to take that approach if that's what floats your boat. The rest of us will can all we can while we can.

      Peace.


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