The Rt. Hon. Dame Janice M. Pereira, DBE, has encouraged the 2026 graduating class of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) to believe in themselves. Photo: Facebook

Scenes from the 33rd Graduation Exercises of the HLSCC on June 11, 2026. Photo: Facebook

Scenes from the 33rd Graduation Exercises of the HLSCC on June 11, 2026. Photo: Facebook

Scenes from the 33rd Graduation Exercises of the HLSCC on June 11, 2026. Photo: Facebook

Dame Pereira served as the featured speaker for the 33rd Graduation Exercises of HLSCC on June 11, 2026, at Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Road Town. The graduation ceremony was held under the theme ‘Time to Thrive’. 

She told them that graduation brings them to one of the most important crossroads of their lives. “College is not merely a place to earn a degree; it is a training ground for courage, character, discipline, and purpose. The question before you is not simply whether you will succeed, but whether you will thrive in action — whether you will transform your ideas, talents, and dreams into meaningful effort that shapes both your future and the world around you.”

Dame Pereira said that, too often, people wait for perfect conditions before beginning, confidence before taking risks, certainty before making decisions, and applause before giving their best, adding that, however, thriving does not come from waiting but rather from moving forward despite uncertainty. 

There’s no perfect time to act 

“But thriving is not only about personal success. True achievement gains meaning when it contributes to others. Your education is not merely a privilege for personal advancement; it is also an opportunity to become a source of hope, innovation, and compassion in your community.”

She urged them to also grow in empathy as they grew in knowledge, using their talents to solve problems, uplift people, and leave every place better than they found it. 

“And remember this: thriving in action does not require perfection. Perfection paralyses, but purpose energises. Some of the most successful people in history faced rejection, failure, and criticism before making their greatest contributions.”

Failure isn’t the opposite of success

Dame Pereira further encouraged the graduating class by telling them that failure is not the opposite of success and is often part of the journey toward success. 

“The students who thrive are those who learn, adapt, and continue moving forward despite the obstacles faced. I am here to tell you this: It is never about where you started or how humble the beginning of your journey. What matters are those hopes and dreams that motivated you to get to this stage and those hopes and dreams that you believe you can achieve that takes you to where you are going next.”

The celebration of graduation, she continued, is not only about the past; it is about looking forward as the world they are stepping into is one of constant and rapid change and complexity. 

Believe in you

The Keynote Speaker urged the graduates to focus not only on success but also on significance as they contemplate future paths, and believe in themselves, their ability to learn, in their capacity to adapt, that they are allowed to take up space in the world, and that their dreams are not accidents but invitations. 

“And when your belief wavers, borrow some from the people who see your potential - even on the days when you may have doubt. Because belief is contagious. Surround yourself with those who lift you, challenge you, and remind you of who you are becoming.”

Dame Pereira dared the HLSCC graduating class of 2026 to dare to dream big dreams and to remember that while valuable, dreams without action are not enough. 

“Vision must be matched by discipline. Passion must be matched by persistence. Knowledge must be matched by action.”