BREGADO FLAX GRADUATES 21 STUDENTS


Under the theme “Brightening Our Future”, the Bregado Flax Educational 
Centre (BFEC) Secondary Division held its 2002 graduation exercises at the Catholic Community Centre in The Valley on Thursday July 4th.
Twenty-one students graduated. Tamara Charles was named valedictorian, 
while the salutatorian was Kishell Blaize.

In her Principal’s remarks, Ms. Caryl O’Neal congratulated the students and 
expressed thanks and appreciation to the parents and teachers and other 
staff who worked with the students. “The past year has been one of 
difficult circumstances for us, yet the school staff has forged ahead and 
made limeade from lime,” she declared.

Ms. O’Neal commended the Class of 2002 for working seriously towards their goal. “You kept level-headed and you conducted yourself well; as a group, you were less distracting and less stress producing than we usually 
experience.”Salutatorian Kishell Blaize recalls having to make many sacrifices in order to achieve her success, being constantly reminded by her mother that a person gets out of life only what they put in.
While thanking everyone for the role they played in their educational 
development, Ms. Blaize suggested that parents need to become more actively involved in the life of the school. She said one of the ways this can be done is through attending PTA meetings as this provides an opportunity to get to know the teachers and to know what is happening in the school.
She went on to specifically thank the government. “I was very pleased when 
the Honourable Reeial (At Large Representative and Minister of Natural 
Resources and Labour) mentioned the possibility of a technical school on 
Virgin Gorda at Sunday’s valedictory service. I urge the government to move 
forward with this so as to enable other young people who are not so 
academically inclined to have opportunities to learn a trade.”

During the ceremony, a special presentation was made to Mrs. Joyce Ephraim, who was completing her final year as a teacher at the Bregado Flax Educational Centre. She was tributed as one who stands tall in the 
community and influenced the lives of many children through her teachings 
and her plays and poems.

Acting Chief Education Officer Dr. Quincy Lettsome brought congratulations from the Ministry to the BFEC Class of 2002. He acknowledged the support of the teachers, parents and the general community. “The Department of 
Education and Culture supports you in every way possible,” he stated.
He pointed out that the 2002 graduation had added significance. “This type 
of comprehensive education was formally introduced to the Virgin Gorda 
community with the opening of the Bregado Flax Educational Centre in 1982. 

So as the BFEC Secondary Division observes its 20th anniversary, you have become an integral part of its tradition and legacy.”
The acting Chief Education Officer noted that their standard of work has 
been commendable, with no outright failures, only deferrals. He encouraged 
those who will be doing supplementary subjects will pursue them with zeal.
The guest speaker was Ms. Laverne Stevens. Addressing the theme, she told the graduates that they are the key elements into guiding themselves into a bright and prosperous future. She shared a strategy for success with them, which included knowing God first and developing a relationship with Him.“Secondly, know who you are and love you,” Ms. Stevens said. She said this means they should have a strong sense of self and not allow themselves to be easily persuaded by others; be steadfast, but keep an open mind and be flexible to changes.

The guest speaker also encouraged the students to know where they are 
going, set short and long term goals in pursuit of their careers, write 
them down, display them, devise a plan and strive to achieve these goals 
anyway they legally can.“Next, I urge you to be persistent, success is rarely achieved instantaneously,” she declared. “Never quit because sometimes we give up on the eve of our success.”

She said falling is a part of life and although onlookers can be 
judgemental, falling is not failure. She said where their failure comes in 
is where we don’t recuperate after the fall.Ms. Stevens also encouraged the graduates to remember those who helped them along the way. “Remain humble and share your success by firstly giving back firstly to your family and then to your community.”

Minister of Education the Honourable Andrew Fahie told the graduates this 
is a good time to look back at what they have gained from their experiences 
at the BFEC and more importantly to look to the future. He said with all of 
the options available today, theirs could be a very promising future or a 
dismal one.

“We are aware that the call to overcome peer pressure in this day and age 
is easier said than done…however I want to encourage you today to think 
carefully and choose wisely the path that you take and not let your 
teachers’ hard work and the values which your parents passed on and their 
expectations of you be wasted,” he advised.

The Minister said government continues to recognize its role to provide 
students with a well-rounded education and continues to provide scholarship opportunities. He spoke of opportunities locally to further their education at the Community College and the UWI School of Continuing Studies.

In addition, he reminded the students that 14 additional scholarships are 
available for all graduates throughout the BVI in the following areas: 
technical/vocational studies, education, engineering, medicine or a health 
related field, sports, tourism and hospitality studies, financial studies, 
marine studies and agriculture.Hon. Fahie named the 2002 national scholarship awardees for the BFEC as Kishell Blaize and Kahlia Hodge.
In her address, valedictorian Tamara Charles spoke to the importance of 
setting goals. “Without them, you’re like a ship without a sail.”

She encouraged the students to believe in themselves, stay focussed, 
embrace life’s challenges and be confident.Chief Minister and 9th District Representative Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal congratulated the principal and staff on what the school has achieved in the past year despite the many difficulties. He also commended the Parent Teachers Association for the interest they continue to take in the school. 

“I do pray that this interest will continue, for it is a well known…fact…that the school cannot do everything for the pupil; people should accept that and be prepared to do their part.”He said while technology brings changes, it should not prevent them from being focused on what they want to achieve in life. He also exhorted them never to forget the school that gave them their start.