BVI HIGH GRADUATES 161

With the usual pomp and circumstance, the BVI High School graduated 161 students during a ceremony at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall on Thursday June 26th.

Chairing the ceremony was Dr. June Samuel, while the hosts were Mr. Elton Callwood and Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt-Igwe of the Class of 1983. They indicated that their graduation was historic in that the pioneer class of 1943 took part, it was the longest in history and they were the first class to host a graduation at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall.

The salutatorian Stacey Brewley told her fellow students that graduating is just the beginning to a world full of challenges. She left them with five P's: proper preparation prevents poor performance. She told the unsuccessful students that this is just a speed bump in their life and encouraged them to try again.

Chief Minister Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith delivered congratulatory remarks to the parents, guardians, teachers and students. "I stand here as a proud product of the local school system and therefore one who takes pride in its accomplishments."

He noted that it was a different time when he was going to school, when the territory wasn't as developed and therefore most graduates planned to go off island for further study.  However he pointed out that today is a different situation where there are no BV Islanders to fill the various positions, so people have to be recruited from elsewhere.

Chief Minister Smith urged the graduates to try their best to make maximum possible use of all the available opportunities. "It is absolutely necessary if you are to take your rightful place in the development of this territory. Government will do what it can to help along the way, by promoting, educating and training our people."

The 2003 valedictorian is JoRyan Palmer. She thanked all those who affected the lives of the students in a positive way and used the opportunity to encourage parents to praise their children for their efforts. "There are four important things parents need to do in training up a child: be an example, be a companion, be a communicator and be a teacher," she said.
Following a musical rendition by the senior band and choir, Principal Elmore Stoutt announced the students who received special awards and scholarships for exemplary performance.

Minister of Education Hon. Lloyd Black, in his remarks, said graduation ceremonies are always a happy and proud occasion. "Your success today is an indication that you have all started on the right path toward positive experiences."

He encouraged them to continue on this path, indicating that the foundation of the territory is vested in their education. He encouraged those who didn't make it to try again, saying gaining an education is too important to give up.

"As the new Minister of Education, I accept the challenge to ensure that all of our students will continue to be provided with the best education possible in as comfortable an environment that we can provide," Hon. Black declared. He promised returning students in September that he will be visiting the compound in a few days with the principal, to ensure it is safe and conducive and to provide government's undertaking that work will commence in summer to correct the many problems that besiege our students.

Minister Black said the Ministry will continue the drive to review and revise the curriculum offerings, but for now, he would encourage all students to partake in the various social programmes available to the youth of the territory.

As in previous years, the Minister of Education announced scholarships for the students with the highest scholastic achievements who are nationals of the BVI and national awards for study with the first two years tenable at the HLS Community College.  He also announced that other scholarships are available to all other students who meet a GPA of 6.0 or better, who have lived here for 3 years prior to graduation and are deemed to belong. These students should apply to the Ministry by July 18th.  He thanked the various businesses and individuals who also contributed scholarships and said other graduates may also apply for consideration for government scholarships.

BVIHS Principal Stoutt and the school band made a special presentation to Head of the Music Department Mrs. Rosa Vanterpool, as she approaches retirement. They thanked Mrs. Vanterpool "for a job done with a flair of grace and excellence" throughout the 56 years she devoted to the field of education.

Chief Education Officer Mr. Angel Smith then presented the graduating class of 2003 with their school leaving certificates, following which the students sang their school song to end the ceremony.