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Three graduate from JVD Primary [Photoslide Included]

Braeden Edwards is Valedictorian!
The beaming trio: Valedictorian Edwards, Salutatorian Stewart and Chinnery at yesterday’s graduation, July 1, 2012. Photo: Aneka Edwards/VINO
The JVD Methodist church was packed to capacity with family and friends. Photo: VINO
The JVD Methodist church was packed to capacity with family and friends. Photo: VINO
GREAT HARBOUR, Jost Van Dyke, VI – He predicted he had gotten an A and two Bs which rang true for Braeden Edwards, Jost Van Dyke’s Primary School Valedictorian.

At a graduation and prize giving ceremony held at the JVD Methodist Church Sunday July 1, 2012, the 13 year-old told his fellow graduates that “our lives are messages to the world, make sure it’s inspiring...education is not for now or today, it’s a never ending process.”

Edwards, along with Sabrina Stewart, the Salutatorian and Rashid Chinnery beamed with pride as they now venture into the tertiary level of their education. Two other students did not make the cut.

The Valedictorian, who received a plethora of trophies, money and an Ipad, congratulated his fellow graduates and thanked Ms. Stewart for challenging him to work harder. He also acknowledged his parents; Principal Marva Martin; Teachers Charles Stay and Desiree Gomez and Guidance Counsellor Sylvester Smith for his success.

To the community the young man stated, “Thank you for planting positive seeds with your words.”

Meanwhile, Rochelle Smith, the keynote speaker, gave the graduates tips on how to navigate through High School, and as a former teacher, she stressed that excellence is the key.

The former JVD student noted that excellence is not being perfect. “Don’t get it in your head that pursuing excellence doesn’t mean never making mistakes or your life has to be perfect in order for you to be excellent. Don’t use your less than perfect circumstances as an excuse.”

Ms. Smith also pointed out that being excellent is not easy and while students may find it easy to lime, text, surf the internet and follow the crowd in disruptive and negative behaviours, hard work is a major factor.

“It is easy to do dishonest things to get good grades...work hard for what you want to achieve in life, easy comes easy goes and sometimes your life goes with it too. Excellence is not easy but if you are willing to work hard to achieve your goals, you will.”

Furthermore, she added that being excellent is about attitude and a habit, and urged the graduates to remember those tips and “make them a part of you as you make your parents and teachers proud.”

Principal Martin congratulated the students of their accomplishments and told them, “A job well done.”

Likewise, in his message to the graduates, Minister for Education and Culture, who was not in attendance, said “I would like to extend hearty congratulations to you the Jost Van Dyke graduating class of 2012. Your commitment to excellence has paid off and today you stand ready to be recognised for your success at the primary level. I implore you to embrace a world full of infinite opportunities as you celebrate your well-deserved achievement.”

Meanwhile, 2nd District Representative Hon. Alvin Christopher, who could not attend for medical reasons, also sent a congratulatory message to the Principal, staff and students which stated, “This is always an exciting time in the life of our students. Your hard work and dedication in training our children for these examinations has certainly not gone unnoticed.”

Also giving remarks was Gerald Chinnery, an Adopt A School Sponsor.

Lorraine Callwood chaired the ceremony, while Reverend Jeanty Maurose delivered the invocation and benediction. The school choir and dance group provided entertainment.

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7 Responses to “Three graduate from JVD Primary [Photoslide Included]”

  • Jost Van dyke massive (02/07/2012, 11:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congratulations to all the students from JVD…I notice none of our senators came over.
  • Facts (02/07/2012, 11:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congrats to all the students that have graduated. However I have a problem with the rewards meted out to students. In some schools you have children being val or sal ( I am not saying that is the case in this instance as I do not know what these 3 children graduated with) sometimes with three C's and walk away with ipad etc. Then you have schools where because the race is so tight, students are neck and neck for val and sal and they all have Grade ones or 3.9-4.0 averages. I am for rewarding good grades therefore I think the rewards should be given out based on averages and not just being val or sal. Sure give them a trophy they have topped in their respective school. But at the same time there are children who have worked harder and have gained much higher grades and should be rewarded with that ipad or other gifts. After all are we not rewarding them for academic excellence. If this is so three C's don't cut it besides thats a grade two not one. People don't have to agree with me but respect my opinion.
  • kool (02/07/2012, 15:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    photo slide kool mon
  • weed (02/07/2012, 22:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    School children me ah proud of dey three of yu..but me notice not a man from dey minsitry of education waz dey or an politician waz dey were waz Alvin? deed politicians are such crocked that it ain't funny.....see aint no election time so dem aint going to JVD
  • open wide (02/07/2012, 23:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Edwards, Stewart and Chinnery you all will be missed.
  • Valley massive (03/07/2012, 00:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Look and them so innocent…


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