DESPITE CHALLENGES such as COVID-19, a Dengue outbreak and volcanic eruptions, 748 students have “emerged from the belly of the beast” to graduate from the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College (SVGCC).

“This year marks the 13th year that the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College has held an amalgamated graduation ceremony and it’s the first full face to face ceremony since 2019. In 2020, in the face of a raging pandemic, we scaled down to two small ceremonies with limited attendance allowed. Last year, once again, we did the responsible thing by having a fully virtual graduation ceremony,” Director Nigel Scott recalled at the ceremony for the graduating class of 2022 on Wednesday, September 28 at the Victoria Park.

“Today marks another milestone in the life of the SVGCC and its 748 graduates.This number, I should mention, does not include 21 nursing students who are graduating later this year from the University of the West Indies with a Bachelors in Nursing,” the Director commented.

Minister of Education, Curtis King was also on hand to congratulate the students on their “magnificent achievement” after two “most challenging years.”

CURTIS KING

“You did so despite COVID-19.You did so despite 32 explosions of our La Soufriere volcano.You did so despite many personal difficulties and sacrifices. That is why we congratulate you today,” King said.

“No praise is too great for you, your lecturers, your instructors, your parents and guardians, and others, all of whom have helped you along the way.”

He told the graduates to take comfort in the fact that their outstanding performances would be awarded by the Government.

All of the Valedictorians in their video addresses touched on the battles faced throughout the years.

ALAN GOODING (left), Valedictorian of the Division of Technical and Vocational Education accepts award from Dr Joel Warrican, Chair of the Board of Directors of the SVGCC

Alan Gooding,Valedictorian of the Division of Technical and Vocational Education, informed that, “The years 2020 through 2022 have been both a blessing and a curse. People have lost opportunities, homes, jobs and even loved ones within the span of a few months.”

“It was mentally exhausting but we did it. It will forever go down as one of the most trying times we have ever faced.”

He said that he refers to the faculties, students and support team as warriors.

“We were all hit with unexpected occurrences before we even had a chance to put on our armour. But the same warrior mentality that kept us pushing and grinding throughout the pandemic is the same mentality we will need as we enter the real world,” Gooding encouraged.

Keonna Simon,Valedictorian of the Division of Arts, Sciences and General Studies, explained that surviving and enduring “a global pandemic, a dengue fever outbreak, an eruption of La Soufriere volcano, better known as Miss Sou”, “strengthened and built our character and instead of viewing them as adversities I encourage all the graduates to view them as lessons.”

She encouraged them not to feel discouraged as “The graduating class of 2022 has proved again and again that we can tackle any obstacle we encounter.”

“Whatever path you end up on, pursue life with the tenacity of Miss Sou and persistence of the pandemic,” Simon advised.

Niesha Richards, Valedictorian of the Division of Teacher Education, said that on reflection their time at the SVGCC has been perilous.

NEISHA RICHARDS (left), Valedictorian of the Division of Teacher Education accepts her award from Dr Joel Warrican, Chair of the Board of Directors of the SVGCC

“…The COVID-19 pandemic, Dengue outbreaks and volcanic eruptions all posed substantial threats to our mental, physical and academic wellbeing,” she said, “and yet we emerged triumphantly from the belly of the beast.”

Also providing the students with inspiration was the feature speaker, Shafia London-Williams, who, apart from a glittering academic record, is the country head in Barbados, St Vincent and Dominica for the global beverage company ABI.

“It’s important that we recognize today as a huge win. Let’s celebrate.You are graduating against a backdrop of great adversity: COVID-19, Dengue, floods, hurricane and I saw one of the Valedictorians call her Miss Sou – the volcano. So much negative energy, and listen, you aced it just by being here today. You inspire me,” London- Williams told them.

She spoke to the young adults about finding their gift.

“Pay very close attention to the thing that makes you happy and the thing you do the absolute best without even trying,” she advised.

“Your gift will make room for you,” she said.

London-Williams acknowledged that there will be challenges, noting that she has also had hers. From nearly being aborted as a baby, to growing up without parents, and studying for exams without electricity “I was lost and I felt like I did not belong.”

SHAFIA LONDON WILLIAMS

“My life could easily have taken a turn for the worst, but for one, I had a lot of people who believed in me,” she said.

“As a matter of fact, days before I started Community College, I ran away from home and was adamant that all I needed was the porch of an old house to survive the rest of my life,” she revealed.

However, she received the help of a stranger.

“Some of you might not have those advantages of people in your life to give you the support you need,” she said.

“But at the end of the day the circumstances of your life, where you are from, how much money your family has, what is going on in your home- none of that is an excuse for not finding your gift.Your gift is what you need to ace this life.”

“If you are good at something then you owe it to yourself, you owe it to this country to pursue it,” London-Williams also told them.

She advised the graduates that with God by their side, they can write their own destiny.