– Min. Hughes urges JC Chandisingh ‘Class of 2019’
By Nafeeza Yahya
MINISTER of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes has left the JC Chandisingh ‘Class of 2019’ a powerful charge, one that suggests that they think outside the box in the pursuit of their dreams.
“Do not bow your heads; defy conventional thinking, and you will be astonished at what success and beauty you will find,” she told the 80-odd students that were about to say goodbye to an institution they had come to love since gaining a place there after writing the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSS) examinations some five or so years ago.
The occasion was the school’s annual graduation ceremony on Wednesday afternoon, and the minister was at the time delivering the feature address before a packed auditorium of beaming students, emotional parents and proud teachers gathered there for the event. Having obviously done her research, the minister left the audience amazed at her depth of knowledge of the school’s history; its achievements and accomplishments not only academically but at extracurricular activities as well, as she urged the graduands to bask in their glory, but also continue to walk along the path of success to be the true “movers and shakers of Guyana’s future”, and the change they want to see the country become.
“Each of us has the capacity to rise above limited attitudes and actions,” she said, adding: “We can and must tap into our power to choose, and to consciously shape our destiny. Never doubt your ability as a young person to start to change the world, or start to change Guyana.”
Noting that through the use of technology and forward thinking, the possibilities are endless, she also urged that they not only remember the academic subjects they would have been taught over the years, but the many “gifts”, such as independence of thought, honesty, integrity, respect and discipline, they would have developed along the way.
“You must be our future petroleum engineers, our next large-scale
exporters of rice, sugar, provisions, fruits and vegetables that the Caribbean can’t get enough of…,” she said, adding: “We are all depending on you; history is watching you. But to succeed, you and all of us must throw off the heavy cloak of racism and bitterness; they have plagued our country’s history at different times for many years. You will be confident; you graduands will be strong and self-assured, because Guyana has made you different in a really good way.”
NO GIVING UP
Minister Hughes wrapped up her presentation by urging students to never doubt their abilities or be told they cannot make their dreams a reality. She drew reference to the many greats of the world, among them Usain Bolt, Mahatma Ghandi, and Nelson Mandela, all men that rose above their circumstances and made a difference in the world after putting in the hard work.
“So I say to you, let us remember there is always something in ourselves that is beyond the conditions around us; we have the awesome ability to make choices, based on principles, and these choices always work. So I say your attitude most definitely determines your altitude; your character is will determine how many good persons extend their hands to guide you along the way and there is no short cut to hard
work and success.”
Under the leadership of Ms. Annabella Ramnarain and team, the school, which is located in Portuguese Quarters, Port Mourant, has a lot to be proud of, having given Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) its top student at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination in Jhasodra Ramnarine, who placed 10th nationally, and was awarded the Best Junior Secondary School Performer in the country for her 16 Grade Ones, 14 of which were straight ‘A’s, and one Grade Two.
For her sterling performance, Ramnarine was also adjudged the 3rd and 10th best student in the entire Caribbean for her achievements in Integrated Science and Home Economics respectively.
She took home 16 awards from the graduation ceremony on Wednesday, in addition to a ‘Tablet’ device from Minister Hughes.
With 100% passes in nine subject areas, JCCSS placed third in Region 6, and among the 83 students who wrote the examinations was 14-year-old Hemanchali Samlall, who has the distinction of being the youngest person in the entire country to have written the examinations this year.
The Third Former, who scored three Grade Ones from the six subjects she wrote, walked away with the Dr. Walter Singh Award for the most outstanding
performance ever by the youngest candidate.
HM REPORT
Headmistress Ramnarain, in her report, accredited the school’s success to the harmonious working relationship between her staff and other stakeholders, donors, parents and guardians. She noted that despite the many challenges they would have faced over the years, they were able to rise above them, and not only excel
academically but at extra-curricular activities as well.
Regional Education Officer Celestine LaRose
congratulated the school for their performance, and urged them to
continue establishing the high standards that they have, and to engage stakeholders in the school’s affairs.
Among the Class of 2019’s top performers is Arifa Ashidally, who obtained 12 Grade Ones and seven Grade Twos.
