Jonathan Agard, the recipent of the Jeff Broomes Award of Excellence, being presented with a plaque from Alexandra School’s former Principal, Jeff Broomes.
Most Outstanding Girl – CSEC, Shania Rodgers, accepting her prizes from Chairman of Alexandra School Board of Management, Dr. Korah Belgrave.
Jevon Rock, Most Outstanding Boy – CSEC, receiving his prizes.
‘No shortcuts’
Sat, 01/21/2017 - 12:00am
There is no shortcut to success!
Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley, impressed this upon the students of Alexandra School, as he urged them to put in the work from now.
“Even as we are mesmerised by stories of excellence as we go through our social media and listen to the international press, my view is that there is no shortcut to success. Every step along the way has got to be measured, and has got to be focused, if you want to succeed.”
Lashley, who was at the time addressing the Annual Awards Ceremony yesterday, observed that the solutions to the fundamental challenges facing Barbados must be had through re-awakening in young people a thirst for success.
According to him, this country’s youth must have a longing to be innovative and see themselves as being global entrepreneurs.
“Even at your tender age, I want to see a more focused passion for success. Each time I have the privilege of addressing young people in our schools, I speak to the whole question of what exactly do you want to do with your life? What exactly is your mission?
“…We still have to find a way to fast track your mind in this world that has become so competitive. I am suggesting that we in Barbados, you who are at a very tender age in our school system, you have to begin to benchmark yourselves, not necessarily against your colleagues here in Barbados, but you have to begin to benchmark yourselves against your international competition … those young people living in Asia, Europe and North America,” he told students.
Noting the need for Barbadians to renew their dedication to being productive, Lashley stressed, “We talk about being entrepreneurs; we talk about how we can develop businesses, but how many of us have really given serious thought to being an owner of not just a business operating in Barbados, but a business that has global reach.”
Acknowledging the award’s theme “Continued Excellence: 123 Years of Advancement; Progress and Success”, the Minister indicated that it is not only relevant to Alexandra School, but to Barbados as a whole.
“As we continue to be faced with various challenges, and I must add that there has never been a time in the history of Barbados that we did not have challenges. What has happened in the past and I believe what has happened now and in the future, is that all of us will rise to the occasion and meet each challenge head front.”