Speaker of 'Queen's English' Joshua S.J.S. Lawrence receives literacy award.
Described as the first potential family astronaut, Joshua SJS Lawrence expressed profound gratitude to his mother, Einstein Samuels, family members, friends, mentors and educators as he accepted the BVIRC International Literacy Day Award from Mrs Jenny McCleary at Government House today, October 17, 2013.
His mother, Einstein, came in for particularly high praise from most speakers for continuing to persevere with Joshua in assisting him with realising his highest potential.
In 2002 the BVI Reading Council Literacy Award was instituted for students who have succeeded in overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges.
This award is given as part of the annual observance of International Literacy Day which is observed on September 8 of each year. Since its inception, there have been a total of six recipients of the award.
The young awardee made a promise that he will always do his best to be obedient and respectful while expressing that he was fortunate to have the opportunity to learn through the use of modern technology for the past four years.
Described as having education related challenges by some, Lawrence, related that he had been attending the Sylvan Learning Centre in Puerto Rico from the age of five and said they were the first to give him a chance to learn.
Governor William B. McCleary remarked that in reading an account of Joshua’s achievements, he was struck by a description of Joshua which suggested that while he remained shy and a person of few words, whenever he spoke, he always used what his grandfather William Samuels described as ‘the Queen’s English’.
Governor McCleary said, that with this being ‘Reading is Fun Week’, he was keen to see an emphasis being placed on reading, not just from the screen but also from the written page.
“I’m delighted that Joshua is so dedicated to reading books. We can all learn from the computer, but we can also learn from books and I think that’s a lesson I’d like us all to acknowledge,” he said.
Governor McCleary added that in raising his daughter, he had to consistently emphasise that all learning doesn’t come from computers, but there is plenty to be picked up from more traditional media as well. “We therefore value the concept of reading and therefore my wife and I are very supportive of the work done by the BVI Reading Council,” he continued.
Education Minister Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, in offering remarks, said Joshua was extremely gifted and could have been at a different place if he didn’t have the right mother.
He remarked that Joshua also communicates with him by Facebook and email.
Hon. Walwyn said differently able students can be able to live out their true potential in the Virgin Islands and go on to achieve great things once the right resources are in place and the government and all stakeholders remain focused.
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