Graduates advised to face future obstacles with tenacity

Remain determined and firm in your goals, no matter the challenges.

Both guest speaker Shashamane Jones and school principal Sonja Goodridge urged students of the Coleridge and Parry School to be mindful of the obstacles they are bound to face and to press on.

According to Jones, who was delivering the feature address at her alma mater’s graduation ceremony at the weekend,the lessons learned from the recent challenging period of restrictions and lockdowns should be applied in the new world of work and studies upon which they are embarking. [caption id="attachment_393507" align="alignnone" width="650"] Principal of the school, Sonja Goodridge.[/caption]

She urged the graduates to be bold and live full lives.

“One of the most frequent questions to graduates [is], ‘what do you want to do when you finish school?’ However I believe the more important question is, who are you going to be? How are you planning to live your life every day? How would you react when you don’t get that job that your heart is set on, or when you aren’t accepted into your dream programme or your desired school? [caption id="attachment_393509" align="alignnone" width="650"] Coleridge and Parry School old scholar Shashamane Jones.[/caption]

“These are the moments that define us, that set us apart from all others. Not the day you receive your grades, or when you secure the job you most desire… you are defined by that tenacity that keeps you focused when the road ahead is long, trying and filled with uncertainty. Within you lies the patience and the determination to make your wildest dreams a reality… These are the attributes that will give you a fighting chance on this unpredictable road of the future.” [caption id="attachment_393506" align="alignnone" width="650"] Students of the graduating class seen here during the morning’s ceremony.[/caption]

Meanwhile, Principal Goodridge praised students for their outstanding achievements and stressed that despite whatever difficulties they may now face as they enter new environments, they must remain grounded.

“You may find that the world throws criticism at you, you may find yourself facing obstacles, you may even find that people would try to discourage you from achieving your goals, your dreams, your aspirations. Financial constraints will most likely be ever present, but you must remain resilient in times of adversity.

“Today I urge you to remain rooted and grounded no matter the circumstances you may find yourself in, or the obstacles you may face.”

(SB) ]]>