Nassau, Bahamas – Under the theme “Excellence Driven, Purpose Bound, the S.C. McPherson Junior High School formally recognized the scholastic achievements of its students at an Honour Roll Ceremony held at the Greater Bethel Cathedral on Monday, 18th February 2013.
Calling their efforts “heroic” and exhorting the students, teachers and parents to cultivate a culture of excellence in academia and personal development through the development of their individual gifts was the message of the special guest the Hon. Dr. Kendal Major, Speaker of the House of Assembly and Member for Garden Hills.
“This exercise today is about building you up. I salute you for preparation and determination. I trust you are inspired and it causes you to reach a little higher. I especially congratulate the heroic efforts or your teachers, staff and parents. Each of you has a gift. Each of you (is a) gift. Your responsibility is to discover that gift and serve it to the world” said the House Speaker.
To the honourees, the Speaker offered high praises, a bit of encouragement and a caution against complacency: “For those who will receive Honors today, I congratulate you and challenge you to continue to seek your potential and chart new horizons. Don’t allow your latest success to hijack your future,” said the Dr. Major.
For those students who did not receive honours and awards, the Speaker stressed patience, perseverance and used his personal life experience as an example:
“For those that will not receive an Award today I say your time will come. It may not come when you want it or how you want it but trust me it will come. So do not lose heart. Stay motivated & press on. Remember my story…I changed my grade and my first school honor came when I graduated from University with Honors,” he said.
Assuring the students whom he affectionately called “Sharks” that the surest way out of poverty was a good basic education, Dr. Major advised students to plan their success one experience at a time. Noting that their success was up to them, Speaker Major challenged each S.C. McPherson “Shark” to be an asset to our country, not a liability.
