Graduates told: Commit to the task and give 100%

The 2021 graduating class of the Frederick Smith Secondary School has been advised to give 100 per cent to whatever career path they embark on in the future.

Delivering her feature address at the Trents, St James school, on Thursday afternoon, Barbados TODAY journalist Anesta Henry told the young adults that as they say goodbye to Frederick Smith Secondary, and prepare for a new journey, that they must remember that their destiny was left up them.

She acknowledged that the past year had been difficult for many of them who might have struggled to overcome the challenges occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

School, she said, as they knew it prior to March 2020, had been an experience unlike nothing they had ever endured. But she urged them to take advantage of all opportunities available for their personal and career development.

“Some of you may be graduating today but still have not made up your mind about what you want to do at this time. Some of you, because of the challenges you experienced with online school, or even simply just managing all that has come with the pandemic, you may not have been able to focus as you would have liked to on your preparations for your CXC examinations. Some of you may not get back all the grades you want, while a few may, realistically, get back none.

“But let us be real, not getting the CXCs you want, does not mean the world will end. Barbados is one place in this world where there is no shortage of educational opportunities. Research and enroll yourselves in classes that would allow you to get those CXC subjects you need in order for you to gain entry into tertiary institutions to pursue your desired career paths.

“I know people who walked these corridors with me, left here with as some people would say, only their graduation certificate, but today, many of them are entrepreneurs running their own small businesses, or are even holding supervisory or managerial positions at established companies,” she said.

Henry, a former student, gave a riveting recount of her early childhood and the time spent at the institution, and the financial struggles that she encountered in pursuing her education. But she stressed that with a keen and enquiring brain, a determination to succeed with her studies and with the assistance of her grandmother, she was able to overcome the obstacles before her.

She urged the graduands not to be daunted by difficult circumstances. She explained that during her time at school, and since leaving her alma mater, “giving up” has not been an option.She told the graduands that whatever field of endeavour they gravitate towards, they should commit to it and do it with pride.

Henry also urged parents and guardians to pay attention to what their children were doing with their lives. She reminisced that as a child she dared not take home any bad reports to her grandmother.

“What is the take away from what I would have told you today? Always remember that your present situation is not your final destination, the best is yet to come.

“With determination, the will to succeed, and hard work, the best is yet to come. I did not allow my struggles and personal circumstances when I was growing up to prevent me from dreaming about flying with the eagles,” she said.

Henry also lavished praise on teachers in Barbados and the contribution they make to society. She was particularly complimentary of the teachers at Frederick Smith Secondary who she described as having been “angels” in her life. She identified them individually before the audience.

“Teachers are indeed the unsung superheroes; they just do not wear capes or fly through the air. Sometimes, you only realise a teacher’s worth, later on in life. I cannot imagine, though I have an idea, how it has been for teachers having to adjust to the new norm of teaching during the pandemic.

“Teachers are human beings too, with families and personal needs, but the teachers here like the hundreds of others across Barbados, in their own right, should be considered among the frontline workers who have braved the significant challenges that came with this pandemic. Because of my position in the media, I know that sometimes members of the public can be a bit harsh and critical of our teachers, but teachers, please pat yourselves on the back because you have done extremely well.”

Due to COVID-19 restrictions with respect to gatherings, the graduation was held over a two-day period with specified numbers in attendance. (WG)