PHILIPSBURG–Under the theme “Time to shine,” 55 St. Maarten Academy Preparatory Secondary Vocational Education Section (PSVE) students attended their graduation ceremony at the Belair Community Centre on Thursday evening.
Parents and family watched as Acting Governor Reynold Groeneveldt, Minister of Education Wycliffe Smith, President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams and PSVE officials presented the students with their diplomas. Philana Thomas was named the 2018 valedictorian.
Education Minister Smith said in his address, “ I must applaud the strength it took to shine again after the passing of monster storms Irma and Maria when there was so much gloom around us.
“Many homes were damaged, several persons were displaced, jobs were lost and our lives were disrupted. Some teachers and students migrated. Those who stayed had their personal recovery challenges, but you made the sacrifices to return to work, even with your own homes still needing repairs. You faced the difficulties and taught our children to draw on their resilience in weary times.
“School roofs were lost, properties damaged, books and teaching materials gone. Yet, teachers were able to put the education and preparation of their students as priority, despite their own family struggles and the damaged conditions of the classrooms. For this, we appreciate you and we salute you.
“Graduates, Mother Nature became a teacher to all of us, and you were able to learn these lessons at a crucial point in your lives, just as you are coming into your time to shine. You managed for a brief period to live with limited technology, to walk about your community, see and talk with neighbours that you never usually greeted.
“I can imagine it might have felt to you like you were thrown back in time! Even for me it was nostalgic, and I taught some of your parents and teachers many years ago. But I want you to hold on to those memories, a glimpse of our humanity. There will be many more obstacles along life’s journey, but you are now better able to handle them. Behind every dark cloud, there is a silver lining.”
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/78317-students-told-time-to-shine-at-academy-psve-graduation
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