thebahamasweekly.com - GBPA Recognizes more Successful Graduates

Grand Bahama
GBPA Recognizes more Successful Graduates
By Deidre Rahming
Jun 16, 2010 - 5:01:15 PM

GBPA REWARDS JACK HAYWARD'S VALEDICTORIAN – GBPA’s Director of Community Relations, Geneva Rutherford (right) makes a scholarship donation to Jack Hayward High School’s head boy, Charles Rose.

Freeport, Grand Bahama – Jack Hayward High School's motto is 'No Reward Without Labour'. The school's head boy and valedictorian, Charles Rose, was rewarded for his hard labour by The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA), as the school's top 2010 graduating student.

Highly-regarded as 'a very focused young man', as evidenced by a 3.82 GPA, Charles received 12 awards during commencement exercises in the school's gymnasium, including the Port Authority's Award for Excellence which was presented by GBPA's Director of Community Relations, Geneva Rutherford.

The school's 150 graduates walked under the theme 'The Past Cannot Be Changed - The Future is Yet in Your Power'. In his valedictorian address to fellow graduates, Charles compared their experience to the launch of a rocket ship. "All of our lives we have been preparing for this moment or mission....Success comes only from hard work. Nothing happens instantaneously," he said.

SUNLAND'S HEAD GIRL RECEIVES GBPA SCHOLARSHIP – At official graduation exercises at Sunland Baptist Academy, head girl, Veronica Dorsett, receives a scholarship donation from Geneva Rutherford (right) Director of Community Relations - GBPA.

Graduation guest speaker, Pastor Cedric Beckles, reiterated this thought. "Today is really the beginning of life for you," he reminded the students. "Use your past as a trampoline or springboard to propel you to greater heights. Your future is in your own hands."

The graduating class of Sunland Baptist Academy received similar admonition during their commencement service. This time, the school's head girl, Veronica Dorsett, was the proud recipient of the GBPA top achiever's award, also presented by Mrs. Rutherford.

Veronica's academic achievements were highlighted as she consistently stood out amongst her peers for her continual honor roll excellence throughout grades 10 - 12. Excelling in Art, Biology, English Literature, Geography, Mathematics and Office Procedures, she also was the recipient of the Citizen's Award.

ST. PAUL'S TOP ACHIEVER – The top achiever of the 2010 graduating class at St. Paul's Methodist College, Valencia Stewart, accepts a scholarship donation from GBPA's Director of Community Relations, Geneva Rutherford (left).

Guest speaker and Assistant Professor for The College of The Bahamas School of Education, Veronica Ferguson, addressed the students on what they need in order to survive life after graduation. She was stern about 'putting God first, developing character, staying focused on goals and not being afraid to fail'. "You have to fail in order to succeed. In times of failure seek higher education. Don't allow this time to cause you to slack off and lose focus," Mrs. Ferguson admonished.

St. Paul's Methodist College graduate, Valencia Stewart, "has poised and applied herself to be a proficient and excellent student", was how school faculty described yet another GBPA top achiever award recipient.

Furthering her studies at Georgia Southern University in the fall in Chemical Engineering, Valencia culminated her high school education with an overall GPA of 3.77. A consistent honor roll student, she along with 38 others, participated in commencement exercises held at the Convention Center at the Radisson at Our Lucaya.

GBPA's Director of Community Relations, Geneva Rutherford, was also on hand to present her with a scholarship donation. The school's head girl also received the Principal's Award for proficiency and excellent results. Along with numerous subject awards, she received the Sir Albert Miller All-Around Contribution to The Life of the School and the Donald Glass II Best Achievement in Science awards. Valencia also participated in several clubs, including the Future Ambassador Society, Interact Club (Junior Rotary), Etiquette Club and the Debate team.

Guest speaker at St. Paul's graduation was Felix Stubbs, General Manager of IBM Bahamas, who was constant in his message to the graduates. "Always set goals as it will steer you in the right direction and provide a measure of achievement," he stated.

As 2010 graduation ceremonies continue on Grand Bahama, even more of the island's top high school achievers look forward to receiving similar scholarship donations from The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited.