President urges pupils to overcome obstacles

President Jeffrey Bostic has encouraged Selah Primary School pupils to overcome obstacles and stay on track toward their goals, saying challenges should not stop them from moving forward.

Bostic delivered the message on Monday during a visit to the St Lucy school, where he praised students for their confidence and participation in Spanish, music and uniformed groups.

“There’s a lesson in that: that there’s no challenge that you children cannot overcome,” he said. “And when you face obstacles, you find a way around them, over them, but you maintain the path that you are on.”

The President also highlighted the way Head Girl Shazariah Springer and Head Boy Micah Depeiza overcame practical challenges as they welcomed him and presented him with gifts.

“The head girl who had a challenge to face, an obstacle, you were able to find a way for her to speak by this little box,” he said, noting that both students had to raise themselves to reach the microphone.

The students’ confidence was particularly encouraging, he said, adding that it was evident in those who participated in the morning’s activities.

“Those who were up here presenting this morning did so with confidence, and they enjoyed, at least you looked that way, you were enjoying what you were doing,” he said. “That’s a magnificent thing for me.”

President Bostic also urged the pupils to develop the ability to pause before reacting, pointing to the school’s Biblical name “Selah”, which can mean “to pause and reflect”, “to lift up or to exalt”, “forever, eternal” and “to bow in humility to serve”.

He continued: “Your power is not in your fists. Your power is not in your hands. Your power is not through your mouth. Your power is in your pause.  

“Pause shows power, not weakness. Pausing is strength before you do something that you will regret later.”

He also challenged the pupils to lift up those around them rather than complain or pull others down.

“You need to praise each other and praise your teachers,” he said. “Lift up your friends when they get an answer right. Don’t try to pull them down because you didn’t know the answer.”

Bostic continued: “What you do is that you are passing values that will last forever,” he said. “Values that no money can buy. Values that CXCs cannot buy or a university degree cannot buy. 

“You need to serve in order to lead… Leaders are not those who stand tallest, but those who bow to lift up others.”

Principal Cheryl Marshall said the visit was particularly meaningful during Education Month and as the country reflected on 60 years of Independence.

She said: “These occasions provide us with an opportunity to celebrate not only where we have come from as a nation, but also to consider the kind of Barbados we are preparing our children to build.”

The school was focused on helping students discover their talents, develop character and gain the confidence needed to contribute to society, she said.

“Our school motto, ‘Self-discipline and Dedication Brings Success,’ reminds our students that success does not happen by chance. It requires commitment, perseverance, responsible choices, and a willingness to keep trying even when challenges arise.”

Selah students are exposed to STEM activities, reading initiatives, sports, music, clubs, educational tours and other extracurricular activities, she added.

The principal also cited athletics, cricket, football, netball and table tennis, while the school also offers Brownies, Blossoms and Cubs. Beavers will be added to the programme this year, she said.

Students also participate in the Inter-School Christian Fellowship and violin programme, with Marshall saying the school expects to resume its swimming programme during the term.

President Bostic singled out the school’s Spanish presentation for praise and encouraged students to continue developing the skill beyond primary school.

“You must not let it end here,” he said. “You have to participate throughout school right into secondary school and beyond, because it is going to help you in the future.”

The morning’s entertainment also included a violin performance of Tip Toe Boo! and the recitation of the poem Barbados.

The President also raised concerns about boys’ participation in positive extracurricular and community activities, saying more male role models were needed.

“Our boys cannot be what they cannot see,” he said. “Our boys are a reflection of what they are seeing in our men.”

He urged more men to become involved, particularly in activities that help boys develop confidence and leadership skills.

“You cannot learn this in a book in a classroom,” he said. “You learn this through other activities like Cubs and Brownies, Inter-School Christian Fellowship, sports.”

Principal Marshall told the President his visit reinforced the importance of the school’s work: “Your presence here today sends a powerful message to our students that they matter, that their education matters, and that their dreams and aspirations matter.”

The school will also launch the President’s Chapman Challenge on Friday and continue its extracurricular programme during the term, including the planned addition of Beavers and the anticipated return of swimming.

(LE)