The 2-day Right Start Programme began on Monday, April 13, 2015 following an opening ceremony at Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, H Lavity Stoutt Community College in Paraquita Bay. The programme is being held under the theme ‘Creating habits for Success’. Photo: VINO

A student defining himself. Motivational speaker Mr Kareem-Nelson Hull said it was important students define who they are so they may be rooted in who they are especially when people say they are something else. Photo: VINO

In his welcome address, Vice President of HLSCC Dr Bryan Penn noted that success in life hinges on being ever more serious about education and the associated quality of work that goes along with that. Photo: VINO

Educator Mrs Donna Cline-Thomas encouraged the students to be leaders and not followers, to remain focussed and stay in God. Photo: VINO

The 2-day workshop will teach students how to write a winning resume, interview skills, professional ethics, and managing finance among other things. Photo: VINO

Backing himself up with the song by American singing sensation R. Kelly, The World’s Greatest’, motivational speaker at the launch of the annual Right Start Programme for 5th form students across the territory, Kareem-Nelson Hull encouraged the many students in attendance to firstly define who they are so they could always remain grounded in confidence amid the challenges they may face onwards in life. Photo: VINO

The 2-day Right Start Programme began on Monday, April 13, 2015 following at opening ceremony at Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, H Lavity Stoutt Community College in Paraquita Bay. The seminar is beng held under the theme ‘Creating habits for Success’.

The aim of the programme is to prepare graduating students with the necessary hands on skills to successfully transition from high school to the world of work or higher learning.

‘Define yourself’

Describing himself as a proud Virgin Islander, which means more to him than being recognised as the Manager of Marketing and Corporate Communications at LIME, Mr Hull sang the song by R. Kelly, The World’s Greatest, and had the students fully engaged in singing also before he declared to them that the major habit for success is the individual.

“You are always going to be the major factor… The only thing in life that is constant is change and those who adapt will change and those who don’t adapt will fade away,” Mr Hull said as he challenged them to meditate on two words: I am.

The proud Virgin Islander said it was important students define who they are so they may be rooted in who they are especially when people say they are something else.

“I am a champion”, “I am phenomenal”, “I am successful”, “I am beautiful” “I am the definition of outstanding”, “I am a perseverer” and “I am unstoppable”, were some of the responses received from some of the students.

Mr Hull also told the students to "speak properly" and to leave the slangs out of the workplace. To the males, his advice was for them to respect women.

‘Qualify yourself’- Dr Bryan Penn

In his welcome address, Vice President of HLSCC Dr Bryan Penn noted that success in life hinges on being ever more serious about education and the associated quality of work that goes along with that.

He added that other choices to be made include how the resources of time, energy, friendships and family are managed. “These are some of the choices you have to make as individuals as today’s distraction are perhaps greater than those we faced as young people. The good news is you now have access to more information at an earlier age than we did.”

Dr Penn advised the students to obtain as much as possible and use what they learn at the seminar as wisely as possible to help guarantee their success in life.

He also cautioned that nowadays tertiary level certificates are required for most jobs, and even where jobs do not require tertiary certificates the competition will be stiff and will favour those with college training.

“For the undecided and those of you who have decided to continue your studies, I encourage you to seriously consider the H Lavity Stoutt Community College.”

‘Lead, focus, God’

Remarks were also given by educator Mrs Donna Cline-Thomas who encouraged the students to be leaders and not followers, to remain focused and stay in God.

Education Minister Hon Myron V. Walwyn was not in attendance as scheduled, however, in his statement sent he pointed out that the 21^st century comes with many opportunities and an equal amount of challenges and it was important that the individual finds the correct balance in life.

He urged the students to manage their time and use the many available technology of today not as a distraction but as a means of getting their work done efficiently.

The 2-day workshop will teach students how to write a winning resume, interview skills, professional ethics, and managing finance among other things. Some of the facilitators are Mr Albert Wheatley, Mrs Zoe J. Walcott-McMillan, Ms Shaina M. Smith and Mr Julien N. Johnson.