Tamia Richards receives token of gratitude from Chief Minister Dr. the Hon. D. Orlando Smith [photo: Stephen McMaster]

Tamia Richards praised for oustanding academic achievements

Crown Counsel in the Attorney General (AG)’s Chambers Ms. Tamia Richards was honoured for her recent outstanding academic achievements at a luncheon which Chief Minister Dr. the Hon. D. Orlando Smith hosted on January 30 at the Nexus Café Bar and Grill, Road Town. Speaking at the luncheon, the Chief Minister led the way himself, as he unreservedly commended Ms. Richards on behalf of the BVI Government for excelling in her law studies at the Eugene Dupuch Law School in Nassau, Bahamas. Education Dr. Smith pointed out that the BVI Government, like those which were in office before, has put education on the “front burner” and that the Administration is grateful for the “lead” it has benefitted from in making education (and health) top priorities in the territory. He stated that Ms. Richards has made the territory proud and that all BV Islanders should join in celebrating her academic excellence, particularly since she has returned to serve the Government. “The education we are promoting is one that is directed towards the needs of this country, as this is one of the primary ways in which the country will continue to progress,” said Dr. Smith. He stressed that Government is always grateful for persons who benefit from studies overseas and return to work in the territory, adding that opportunities for contributing to the BVI’s development exist both in the public and private sectors. Commendations Attorney General the Hon. Cherno Jallow described Ms. Richards as a “committed and hardworking” individual in the AG’s Chambers, despite having a generally quiet demeanour. He recalled that, when she was assigned to the AG’s Chambers for two consecutive summer attachments, the reports of the senior counsels who supervised her were always “excellent.” Consequently, Mr. Jallow remarked that he is “extremely happy” that Ms. Richards has taken up the challenge of working in the AG’s Chambers, as she is on the way to becoming one of the “bright lawyers in the country.” Representative for the Seventh District Dr. the Hon. Kedrick Pickering, who, like Ms. Richards, comes from Long Look in East End, Tortola, spoke passionately about the importance of education to the development of the BVI. He challenged young people in the territory, particularly those in the Long Look community, to follow the example of Ms. Richards in setting goals and working hard to achieve them. Minister of Finance, Health and Welfare the Hon. Ronnie Skelton; Representative for the Fifth District the Hon. Delores Christopher; and At-Large Representative the Hon. Eileen Parsons attended the event. Justice Hugh Rawlins and President of the BVI Bar Association Mr. Paul Dennis, who were also present, joined in commending Ms. Richards. In response, Ms. Richards was high in praises for her mother, Mrs. Marilyn Richards, who she said gave her all the encouragement she needed throughout her life, particularly when she was studying. She encouraged young people to become good citizens of the BVI by staying focused at all times and by striving to determine early in life what they want to achieve in terms of education and career. Achievements Ms. Richards, 2003 Valedictorian at the Eugene Dupuch Law School, was awarded the Certificate of Merit, which is given to students who attain at least nine ‘A’ grades in a total of eleven courses. She obtained an astounding ten ‘As’ and one ‘B’. Her other outstanding achievements include being on the Principal’s Roll of Honour; winning the Council of Legal Education’s Award for being the Most Outstanding Student in Year Two; and ending as the Most Outstanding Student overall over the two- year period. Prior to attending law school in The Bahamas, Ms. Richards graduated from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus, Barbados in 1997 with a Bachelor of Laws Degree, gaining Second Class Honours in the Upper Division. She is a former student of the BVI High School and the Willard Wheatley Primary School. Clerk of the Legislative Council Mr. Denniston Fraser and Crown Counsel Ms. Vereen Vanterpool are two other prominent public servants who were batch mates of Ms. Richards.