EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD Reanna Philadelphia received the valedictorian award when ninety-two students graduated Thursday after completing a range of programmes at the Carnegie School of Home Economics and Craft Production and Design Division.The graduation exercise was held at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) under the theme “Live Your Dreams”.

Philadelphia, a resident of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara was also awarded a distinction for being the best graduate in Commercial Food Preparation. She has also acquired training in visual arts, garment construction, soft furnishing, home economics and household management, all areas in which she is now particularly versed.
The graduation exercise saw a number of students receiving surprise awards of distinctions and credits, many carting off trophies and gifts for their outstanding accomplishments.
Meanwhile, guest speaker, Minister of Tourism Cathy Hughes as well as teachers and students of Carnegie and many parents in the audience expressed satisfaction at the performance of the students.
Minister Hughes, in delivering the feature address, said she was upbeat on establishing a bond with the institution which offers training in areas that correspond with the work of her ministry.
To the delight of the minister and everyone else in attendance, the work of garment construction students were on display during a fashion show which was part of the ceremony. Students and a parent displayed the impressive pieces, causing Hughes to express interest in hiring some of the students as personal designers.
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
In encouraging Guyanese to support fashions “made right here in Guyana,” the Tourism Minister said that unfortunately some still underestimate the importance of Guyana’s fashion industry.
“Gone are the days when people walk into a store and buy a dress that is made in China,” she said, drawing applause.

According to Hughes, the work she has seen is fit for pushing tourism development as the students seem to be headed into a strong, educated and motivated workforce which in turn would result in an excellent tourism industry.
‘SIGNATURE’ CRAFT ITEMS
The minister made an impromptu proposal for Carnegie to design three samples of ‘signature’ craft items which reflect and promote Guyana’s tourism product, which she could carry as gifts for other international dignitaries on her diplomatic missions abroad.
In a brief recap of the institution’s history, Hughes recognised the efforts of former principals, particularly the first one, Ms. Bryant, whose careful management and untiring efforts towards building the trade school against all odds since 1933 inspired the country’s British colonial government to assume total responsibility just four years after.
She commended the institution’s teachers today, describing them as “indispensable” and suggested that they deserve joyous rewards for their time, effort and knowledge since they have “dedicated their lives to a calling which may have great personal satisfaction but miniscule financial reward, (but) to them we must say thank you.”

The immediate plans to rebrand, retool, re-staff and expand the institution’s curriculum to target a larger number of young women “are in consonance with the government’s trajectory for our women’s development” Hughes said, adding that Carnegie’s upgraded programmes are designed particularly to meet “new and increasing demands of the hospitality and tourism industry.”
Meanwhile, in delivering the charge to the graduates, member of the Board of Directors of Carnegie, Renata Chuck-A-Sang urged that they should seek and pursue opportunities for personal and professional growth, always conducting themselves in a manner that would bring high esteem to their profession.
She also encouraged them to accept constructive criticism and praise with humility and gratitude.
Valedictorian, Reanna Philadelphia said the graduation is a launching path that will project them to their goals, and she encouraged everyone to absorb as much knowledge as possible while measuring their success with joy. “Let’s go forward to live our dreams,” she added.

By Shauna Jemmott