Students at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) award ceremony were in a joyous mood Thursday night while the Minister of Education, Michael Browne, took the time to advise them that they need to maintain good reputations in today’s society.
This year’s award ceremony, held at the St. John’s Pentecostal Church House of Restoration, recognised students from across the island for their hard work and dedication during the 2017 sitting of the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations.
It was a lively atmosphere as teachers, family and friends present for the ceremony were all extremely proud of their sons and daughters for their accomplishments.
Eric Joseph Jr. received the award for top performing student, passing 15 subjects with 13 Grade Ones and 2 Grade Twos. Three students received the third-place award, passing 11 subjects with 10 Grade Ones and One Grade Two each.
In his address to his fellow awardees, Joseph Jr. expressed gratitude to the family, friends and teachers for all their support and told students to work hard for their dreams.
Quoting former basketball coach Jimmy Valvano, he said that, “Nothing has ever been accomplished in
any walk of life without enthusiasm, without motivation, and without perseverance.”
During his congratulatory remarks, the Minister of Education told the awardees to make lasting friendships and to ensure that they continue to build positive reputations.
He said, “One of the most important things that you take away from your entire schooling experience is to ensure that you have one good friend.”
He said that young people should not mistake connections made entirely on social media as real.
“We’re in the age of social media; it is very difficult for us to discern what is our true network or who is our true friend and often times we get confused with the social media network,” he said, adding that one of the most important things is to have friends who can stand behind your brand.
“Can you put your name behind what they stand for?” he posited before the audience.
Thursday night saw 183 students overall receive awards, with 17 gold awardees, 30 silver awardees and 21 bronze awardees, while 115 students received certificates of national recognition.
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