125 students graduate from pan programme

This was the message shared with graduates of the 2017 Republic Bank Pan Minors Music Literacy Programme by Level 1 valedictorian Malaika Ferreira as she joined Level 2 valedictorian Romario Peters on stage.

Peters and Ferreira were two of the 125 graduates who, on Thursday at The UWI’s Daaga Auditorium, received their certificates of achievement for completing the programme.

The three-week programme, now in its 22nd year, is an annual effort made possible by the bank’s Power to Make a Difference Social Responsibility Programme.

Chief coordinator Michelle Amoroso took the opportunity to highlight the benefits of the programme which, she noted, has resulted in past participants becoming accomplished composers, arrangers and performers.

David Robinson, general manager of wealth management at Republic Bank Limited, applauded participants for their dedication. He also commended the parents for giving their children the support and urged them to keep supporting their chil dren’s dreams.

Robinson urged participants not waste their efforts as the certificates can boost their qualifications to enter multiple programs at the UWI. He also spoke of the importance the programme holds in preserving and promoting local culture.

Echoing Robinson’s sentiments, motivational speaker Don La Foucade encouraged graduates to not take opportunities lightly and stressed the importance of having responsibility.

Showing off their versatility on the pan, graduates treated audience members to music ranging from Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” to Fifth Harmony’s “Work from Home” during multiple entertainment segments.

This year’s top Level 1 and Level 2 performers were Nicia Inniss from El Dorado West Secondary School and Fayola Wilkinson from St Joseph Convent, respectively.

Thursday’s graduation ceremony marked the end of the Trinidad leg of the programme which also ran concurrently with the Tobago leg. The Tobago leg, supervised by Anthony Moore, had 56 participants bringing the total number of participants in this year’s programme to 181.