Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

The power of choice was message at back-to-school fair

Members of the West End Community Centre Committee had a very organized system to ensure that the distribution went in an orderly manner. Photo: VINO
There were sufficient gifts for every child present at the fair. Photo: VINO
There were sufficient gifts for every child present at the fair. Photo: VINO
President of the West End Community Centre Committee, Mr Charles Benjamin, left, with a group of high school and college students who benefited from the fair. Photo: VINO
President of the West End Community Centre Committee, Mr Charles Benjamin, left, with a group of high school and college students who benefited from the fair. Photo: VINO
These twins were very happy with their back to school packages. Photo: VINO
These twins were very happy with their back to school packages. Photo: VINO
The committee ensured that there was sufficient food for persons attending the fair. Photo: VINO
The committee ensured that there was sufficient food for persons attending the fair. Photo: VINO
The Caribbean Thrill Pack basketball team of the US Virgin Islands demonstrated several ways kids and even adults could have fun with the game of basketball when they are not playing professionally. Photo: VINO
The Caribbean Thrill Pack basketball team of the US Virgin Islands demonstrated several ways kids and even adults could have fun with the game of basketball when they are not playing professionally. Photo: VINO
The Purple Dragon Karate Group was well received by those in attendance at the fair as they put on a commendable show. Photo: VINO
The Purple Dragon Karate Group was well received by those in attendance at the fair as they put on a commendable show. Photo: VINO
The West End Community Centre Committee adopted Ms Nancy Richardson (right) as a honourary member of the committee because of her significant contribution to the committee. Photo: VINO
The West End Community Centre Committee adopted Ms Nancy Richardson (right) as a honourary member of the committee because of her significant contribution to the committee. Photo: VINO
Attorney-at-law Ms Anthea Smith, who was the guest speaker at the fair, pleaded with parents to commit more time to their children to help them do their best at school. Photo: VINO
Attorney-at-law Ms Anthea Smith, who was the guest speaker at the fair, pleaded with parents to commit more time to their children to help them do their best at school. Photo: VINO
Mr Desmond Profitt and his family extended gratitude to the West End Community Centre Committee for its noble gesture. Photo: VINO
Mr Desmond Profitt and his family extended gratitude to the West End Community Centre Committee for its noble gesture. Photo: VINO
WEST END, Tortola, VI – "We have the teachers who play their role, we have the parents who play their role, but most importantly if you want to excel the power of choice is yours. So it’s very important that you exercise that power of choice wisely." That was according to Attorney-at-Law Ms Anthea Smith who delivered the keynote address at the West End Community Centre Committee’s inaugural back to school fair at the Benjamin Romney Park on August 24, 2013.

Ms Smith spoke at length about the various aspects of choices that students need to take into consideration if their goal is to excel academically. "The choice to choose to study or not is yours. Parents can tell you go in the bedroom and study but you go in the bedroom lock up and you watch TV, so the choice boils down to you," she said.

In addition, Ms Smith alluded to the fact that there are a lot of parents who spent most of their time committed to their jobs and fail to set some priority time for their children, a trend she urged that parents refrain from and pay more attention to the upbringing of their children.

The afternoon was one of less speeches and more entertainment and concluded with the distribution of various school supplies.

The Purple Dragon Karate group put on a very entertaining act and so did the Caribbean Thrill Pack basketball team of the United States Virgin Islands.

School children from kindergarten to college residing in the areas of Towers, Romney Park, Spy Glass Hill, Zion Hill, Little Apple Bay, Long Bay, Belmont Park, Frenchman’s Cay and West End were in attendance and walked away equipped with their school supplies for the new school term.

While the programme did not cater for recipients’ response, Mr Desmond Profitt, his wife Sandra Blackwood-Profitt, and their children let Virgin Islands News Online know of their gratitude to the West End Community Centre Committee for organising the fair. "Thank you to Honourable Andrew Fahie, the West End Community Centre Committee and all the others for their hard work. We indeed appreciate the effort for the back to school fair. Thank you and may God bless you," Mr Profitt said on behalf of his family.

Representative for the First District Honourable Andrew A. Fahie was unavoidably absent but had sent his wishes to the committee and the recipients of the back to school items.

At Large Representative Honourable Archibald C. Christian, a special invitee of the event, was also absent but sent his well wishes.

The committee, a non-profit organization which has been in existence for approximately 20 years, has been popular in the West End communities for its annual Christmas parties and has now added a back-to school fair to its itinerary.

The back-to-school fair was supported extensively by the business community in West End, along with some other individuals, including Ms Nancy Richardson who was yesterday adopted as a honourary member because of the magnitude of her support.

12 Responses to “The power of choice was message at back-to-school fair”

  • west end police officer (25/08/2013, 11:37) Like (10) Dislike (6) Reply
    at least Fahie aint trying to be in every photo unlike a certain minister..this seems to have been another sucessful event !!!
    • jus hush (25/08/2013, 14:46) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
      Mr. Fahie wasn't even at the event ...... Is people like you who does cause conflict.
  • Excellent (25/08/2013, 12:27) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Kudos to organizers and contributors of this event. The kids had lots of fun, but more importantly, the back to school items that were gifted to the children are very much appreciated! THANK YOU!
  • parent (25/08/2013, 13:11) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    congrats to the organizers job well done!
  • GREAT JOB!!! (25/08/2013, 13:50) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    CONGRATULATIONS to the Committee. The event was wonderful. The kids had a great time, and the adult got the opportunity to socialize and share ideas. The back to school items were very much needed and appreciated. A BIG THANK YOU to the sponsors and contributors for all your donations and assistance. As a resident of the West End Community, I was very much overwhelmed with the items I saw, as they were tools that the kids need. Job well done Charlie and Committee!!!
  • Gloria Fahie (25/08/2013, 14:35) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    TO Charles Benjamin and your team...you guys did an awesome job!!!
    • DON Q (25/08/2013, 23:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      three thumps up Gloria
    • To Gloria Fahie (26/08/2013, 03:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree. At least they did more than the first district rep that ain't do a thing for the youth in his area for the summer.
  • Overly Concerned (25/08/2013, 15:29) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    CONGRATS to the organizers, sponsors and all who worked behind the scene to put on this event. It was very much appreciated. In the future I hope that the level of dishonesty that was exhibited by some parents by automatically changing their physical address in order to get school supplies ( like the P. E teacher) will be addressed. Some people are just too GREEDY.
  • pelican (25/08/2013, 17:43) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is very nice. I really like to see this, and know all the organizing committee members. They were genuine and not playing politics with everything unlike Myron with his fake “Youths for Walwyn” when there is not a damm youth supporting him.

    Ms. Anthea Smith that speech was oon like pop corn!! We want you to run At large to take out Myron; Irene Penn O’Neal will deal with Archie…
    • I.O. (26/08/2013, 14:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I beg you people to keep off Irene Penn-O'Neal. Everything in these islands must end up in politics??!! Offer the committee your best wishes and keep it moving. You bloggers are so annoying most times!!
  • good thing (26/08/2013, 03:04) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Down to the West had all the action for the summer. Maybe more elected representatives & community persons should be like the First District Rep & First District Community. I take my hats off to all of them for the excellent initiatives for our youth All summer. Thumbs up! As usual all of them did it from the heart.


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.