Addressing a crowd of 2022 graduates, teachers, school officials, and relatives, Virgin Islands Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has encouraged the latest cohort graduating from the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College to chart their own course forward. Photo: HLSCC/Facebook

The message was delivered during the first of a two-day graduation ceremony as part of the HLSCC’s 29th Graduation Exercise, which commenced at 1:00 pm yesterday June 1, 2022, in the auditorium of the college. Photo: HLSCC/Facebook

The message was delivered during the first of a two-day graduation ceremony as part of the HLSCC’s 29th Graduation Exercise, which commenced at 1:00 pm yesterday June 1, 2022, at Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium in Paraquita Bay.

COVID-19 & education challenges 

The Premier in his address said despite the distractions and interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which would have created additional challenges for students and educators, the 2022 graduates have made it to the finish line.

“The theme for this year's graduation is 'Charting your Course' and this is what you must do with all that you have learned and achieved during your time here at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. You have to put your experience and your qualifications to work now.”

Premier Wheatley also called for graduates to be in a state of continuous development and growth and said that charting a course forward requires asking questions about self, personal dreams and passion as well as what the individual is excited about.

“All that matters is that it is something that you are passionate about,” he said.

Don't limit self to view of world - Premier 

Meanwhile, the Premier cautioned that those graduating must not limit themselves with how they see the world, the job market, and even the economy but rather think outside the box.

“Look at what skills, training, experience, and resources are necessary to take you to and through each and every step on the journey to realising your vision. Look at what you have in hand and what you need to acquire and make it your mission to get all the missing pieces to equip you for remaining in continuous motion forward."

He said goals must be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound without being too vague in addition to being measurable and ambitious.   

“And finally, it is important to set deadlines and to stick to them. If you say you're going to do something, then you need to stick to it. From time to time, reassess your position. This is important. Reassess your progress, and make sure you are keeping up with your targets,” he further advised.

Keeping up with development in field 

Graduates were also urged to pay attention to developments in their field and how the landscape might change.

“As your premier, I want to see each and every one of you succeed in life. The rest of the government and all the people of the Virgin Islands want the same thing for you. You have our support and we will give you all the encouragement we can.”

Dr the Hon Wheatley also told the graduates that the most important person in the journey is one’s self.

“All our support and encouragement will not get the job done if you do not put in the effort, if you do not do the work, if you do not keep focused!” he added.

173 total graduates in 2022 cohort 

Some 173 total graduates will be exiting the institution in 2022 as part of the two-part graduation ceremony. 

The first ceremony held yesterday included graduates in Business and Computer Studies (Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, Small Business & Entrepreneurship, Supervisory Management, Business Information Systems, Computer Information Systems), Humanities including Foreign Languages, and Human Services.

The second ceremony today, June 2, 2022, included graduates in the Workforce (Automotive Engineering Technology, Engineering Architectural Technology, Land Surveying, Culinary, Hotel Management, and Marine Professional Training) and General Science.