Premier encourages ESHS graduates to join HLSCC and public service
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has advocated for more students to pursue their tertiary education at the H Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) and also consider joining the public service to help transform the territory with a wave of fresh ideas.
Dr Wheatley, the former Minister of Education, made that call in an address to the 137 graduates of the Elmore Stoutt High School yesterday, June 23.
Dr Wheatley said this moment was the beginning of the next step for these students and now they have the tools to move forward on their life’s journey whether it is to further their education or become a member of the workforce.
“I must say to you that I am a former lecturer at the H Lavity Stoutt Community College and a strong advocate for students enrolling there; whether it’s to pursue an Associate’s Degree or get certified as solar technicians and marine professionals or some other of their ever-improving programmes. This training will help you improve down the road to provide maximum value to your place of employment or business venture,” Dr Wheatley stated.
He noted that some graduates will enter the workforce and others will start a business to help continue to grow the Virgin Islands’ economy. He encouraged them to step into the future of the territory because it is theirs.
The Premier also expressed that once the graduates become qualified in whatever area they choose, they should consider joining the public service.
“This is a transformative time for the public service. We have the digital transformation and modernisation of the public service. You know we as well have a programme of major reform that has started, and which will be continuing over the next two years or so. The reform will create a lot of opportunities for our people in public administration, especially in policy development,” Dr Wheatley stated.
“While we are doing this reform and even further in the future, the public service will need qualified individuals to bring new and creative ideas and new and modern competencies so that we can remain competitive efficient and effective. So, we can continue to evolve as the world changes and new technology come about,” the Premier added.
Principal of ESHS, Vanessa Garraway told the students they had made the school proud based on their accomplishments in several areas over the course of their senior year. She also took the time to acknowledge the students who were unable to participate in graduation and encouraged them to continue on a good path.
“It has been an honour and a privilege watching your progress and success. Today, there are some students who should have been celebrating with us and for whatever reason, they have stumbled and felt they have hit rock bottom. The key is to not stay there. Let us all be encouraged that when we find ourselves in these situations we use them as learning experiences and to go at it again until we can achieve our goal,” Garraway said.
Meanwhile, Minister for Education Sharie de Castro advised students that the future might be daunting, especially heading into the unknown of adult life. However, she advised them to stay focused and carve their own path to their own version of success.
The ESHS graduating class of 2022 comprised 137 students with the top 10 students having a generous mixture of both males and females.
Christina Creque was the valedictorian while Caliyah Charles was the salutatorian. The other students in the top ten were Jenisha Jones, Akyai Herbert, Chakia Smith, D’Khoi Susana, Azeem Nibbs, D’Andra Roberts, Halla Selwood and Dave Persaud.
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We already have too many public servants
WOULD YOU BE SO KIND ENOUGH TO EXPLAIN TO THE PEOPLE THAT YOU SAY YOU HAVE THEIR BEST INTEREST IN YOUR HEART , ( WHY ❓ ? A GREAT MOMENT LIKE A GRADUATION CEREMONY WAS NOT ON TELEVISION LIVE ❓ ? / YET YOU AND MASTER FOI HAD HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS TO SPEND ON THE ESTEEMED CASES ,/ THE BARGES/ THE STIMULUS ETC , ARE YOU GUYS REALLY SERIOUS / YOU ALL DIDN’T HAVE THE RESPECT TO THOSE WHO COULD NOT ATTEND FOR REASONS LIKE – SICK / IN THE HOSPITAL OR ON THE SMALLER ISLANDS ETC /THATS REALLY SHAMEFUL
It was live on FB, the school media page ESHS Rams Media. Not sure where else.
Not even a big screen TV under the other tent and under there was hot as h**l
Any News on the so called public meetings video,photos,attendance numbers, discussion points ,speakers security,parking ,wine,cheese Hello anybody there!
It was live on FB, the school media page ESHS Rams Media. Not sure where else.
We dont have access to such only radio zbvi and television
Hmm- no access to the internet to watch the broadcast but access to the internet to comment on this news blog!
for young people would be to leave the BVI for further education and job experience overseas.
Only old people stay here and work a boring public service job.
Yes the public service needs new and young blood. However, you all have to let the older ones retire. its not all that wants to go to age 65, so give three options 25 years of working, 60 years of age or 65 years of age.
Horrible idea. The 65 years retirement age was invented when people only made it till 70. In this day and age people get over 90 easily. If you retire at 60 you will rot away those last years without being active.
Make sure work is interesting and doable for older people but don’t retire early, society can’t afford it and your health can’t afford it either.
Many in the public service stopped working on the day they joined the public service – but they still get paid!
Why does Slowande always have that DUH… deer in the headlights look ?
Artists are independent thinkers Mr Burnett.
Independent thinking is not an acceptable trait in these parts.
Sameness is the order.
You realize that upon arrival and see the sameness of the homes.
SADLY NOT EVERYONE KNOWS TECHNOLOGY AND THE TELEVISION IS MORE SIMPLE , BUT BECAUSE YOU GOT SOME POWER NOW ,YOU YOU ALL THAT ( YOU ARE JUST ANOTHER PRETENDER ) THAT SITTING IN THE ROAD WAS ON TELEVISION BUT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY WAS NOT GOOD ENOUGH / ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE OR CAN ACCESS FB ? GAL U SUPPRISING EVERYBODY BY REAVEALING WHATS INSIDE ALL ALONG / JUST LIKE THE PREDATOR VINCENT ?
Why not have the next graduation later in the evening when it’s not so hot. Also the spaeches are too long, there should be a minimum of 3 to 4 minutes
Yes kids look for a job in government… just try to come after we cut about 1/2 the staff we have now and reduce the salaries of the remaining number and run a shoe string budget for the next 15 years. Trust Slow Wande (Minister of Finance who doesn’t have a background in Finance) to give some great advice
I think he need to put a hold on giving out status to people who have been here for a period of time..eventually they are bringing their kids from other countries which goes to school here then obtain a job,while my kid who from was born here cannot obtain that job because of friends or family relatives who intervene.