Grammar School students graduate

In an era of underperformance of males, 162 young men graduated from the St.Vincent Grammar School this week, offering hope that there is still time to address the problem which has the potential to become chronic.{{more}}

Several relatives and friends – old and young – assembled at the Kingstown Methodist Church on Wednesday, July 1st, 2009, to celebrate the special moment with the graduates drawn from the Arts, Science, Business, and General classes.

Approximately 30 prizes were awarded to top performers for the academic year 2008-2009, but the person taking the spotlight was Kenvorn Cuffy, who was adjudged ‘Graduate of the Year’. Kenvorn, the son of Kenrick and Verna Cuffy, of Chilli Village, Georgetown, copped the ‘Best Subject Performances’ for English A, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Geography.

Delivering the Valedictory Address, Kenvorn, who leaves the Grammar School with a consistent average of over 80 per cent, expressed praise to God and his teachers for taking him and his colleagues through the challenging periods of their high school tenure.

The 16-year-old attributed the graduates’ perseverance and achievements to the skills honed from dedicated academic and administrative staff who sought to provide a well rounded education, as well as facilitate their development.

Kenvorn noted that he and his colleagues are prepared to make their next move and stand in good stead to take on whatever challenges come their way.

Rhodes’ Scholar Luke Browne, currently pursuing graduate studies at Oxford University, delivered the feature address. A young man who has excelled in both sports and academics, Browne used the opportunity to build his speech against the backdrop of athletics and cricket.

He also encouraged the graduates to stay on the right track and to refrain from taking routes of violence, drug and alcohol abuse.

Browne, a former student of the school, directed his speech to the graduating class. However, he quipped that it was relevant to everyone sitting in the audience.

Headmaster Frank Jones, delivering the Head Master’s Report, explained that though the challenges this year have been many, they have neither impeded the school’s progress or diminished its success.

Jones disclosed that last year, 174 students entered the CSEC with 1,148 subject entries. He said when the results came back there was an overall pass rate of 84 per cent. Two students each passed 11 subjects; 19 students attained 10 subject passes each; 21 students each passed nine subjects; 33 students each passed eight subjects; 28 students each passed seven subjects; and 30 students each passed six subjects.

Besides Kevorn, other students sharing accolades were: Shane Cole, Headmaster’s Award; Brent DeFreitas, Andrew Cummings Award for Best All-Round Student; Gregory Tuayev-Deane, The Modern Place Award for Most Outstanding Science Student; Gavery David, E.D.Layne’s Award for Best Business Student; Adriel Francois, George Phillips Award for Most Excellent Fourth Former; Afron Byam, Most Dedicated Prefect; Alex Veira, Most Community Spirited Student; and Curtly Springer, Best Sporting Performance.

For her longstanding service of 25 years to the St.Vincent Grammar School, Head of the Modern Languages Department Abigail Providence was presented with a plaque from the Headmaster and staff of the institution. (HN)