Kenesha Foster is Valedictorian at GHS

26.JUNE.09

by Omesha Spence

The prize is worth the pain. This was the message reiterated to the 162 graduates of the 2008-2009 class of the St. Vincent Girls’ High School as they venture on into a new phase of their lives.{{more}}

The students, surrounded by friends, family and well wishers at the Graduation Ceremony which took place on Tuesday 23, June 23, 2009 at the Kingstown Methodist Church, were reminded to persevere in spite of challenges and struggles that they may face, in order to gain the ultimate prize of success.

Giving the feature address was Professor of Engineering at the University of Miami and past student Dr. Jacqueline James. She related to the students, through her life story, how persevering through struggles can lead to success. James said she grew up in a poor family, but was determined to not let her social status prevent her from excelling academically. “I didn’t know how I would make it to University, but I had to go,” she told the graduates. James, who said that she could have given up many times, said her determination paid off as she was granted a scholarship to study in the United States at the US Coast Guard Academy.

Through her perseverance, she became the first black female engineering graduate from the United States Coast Guard Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 2000. James heaped on more accolades to her name as the years went by, eventually earning her PhD and becoming the owner of an Engineering firm in Miami. “If I can become the owner of an engineering firm, why can’t you walk out of here today with your diploma in hand, look the world straight in the eye and say yes I can!” she exclaimed.

Throughout her speech, James gave examples of great men, including human rights activist Dr Martin Luther King Jr., former South African president Nelson Mandela and US president Barack Obama who all came from humble beginnings and persevered through struggles to become some of the most important and influential men in history. She further commended the graduating class, urging them to celebrate the moment as it is “a milestone in your life.”

Also congratulating her girls, Headmistress of the Girls’ High School Andrea Bowman charged the graduates to love themselves and not to find themselves in the unfortunate situation of being paraded naked on the Internet, a growing occurrence among secondary school girls today. Bowman also urged the girls to cherish themselves and to be focused and not be swayed by young men. “Love, protect and care for yourselves more than you care for these young men with whom you associate,” she said. “Let them prove they are worthy of you. You do not have to prove anything to them. You are gifted, beautiful and on your way to a bright future!” she asserted.

Receiving eight special prizes and awards, Valedictorian Kenesha Foster also took to the podium to congratulate her classmates on their achievements. Foster, who reminisced on both the good and the bad times, reminded them to always believe that they can achieve their dreams and continue to embrace future challenges so that they will “feel the exhilaration of victory.”

The ceremony saw approximately seventy-four awards being given to fifty-two students. Among Foster’s many prizes was the Prime Minister’s Award for the Student of the Year.

The award for Perseverance was given to Owendrea Prescod, Anna- Lisa McDowall received the Most Improved Student Award, while Lori-Ann Glasgow was awarded the Louise Haywood Prize for Deportment. The Sancho Lyttle prize for Athletics went to Gabriella Kydd while the Cheryl King Community Award went to Rose-Anne Richardson and La Sheika Campbell received the Headmistress’s Award for Service to the School. Kadeen Stewart took both the Norma Keizer Award for Leadership and the award for the student who best exemplifies the school spirit.