ASJA graduates urged

AS the 2006 class of ASJA Girls’ College, Tunapuna embarked on their journey of a new life, Principal Naima Hosein reminded them to maintain integrity and dignity when faced with difficult situations.

At the recently held graduation ceremony at the school, the 66 graduates were told to “have the courage to make the choice to step forward when it is easier to follow the crowd.” Hosein challenged the students to be aware of the impact of their future choices on the lives of others and to harness the attitude of Dr Martin Luther King in speaking out against evil, which she said, was “perpetuated by the silence of good.”

Over the past academic year, the principal said, students participated in new activities including the Akuzuru art project, the RBTT Young Leaders project, the EMA public speaking competition, EMA plastic recycling competition — in which the school placed first, the CLICO poetry competition and the ASJA interschool cricket competition.

She said in the 2005 CXC exams, 67 percent of the students attained full certificates with the best performances in the areas of History, Social Studies and Information Technology, where 100 percent passes were achieved.

Anthony Watkins, guest speaker at the ceremony and Chief Executive Officer of Odyssey Consult Inc Ltd told the graduates: “Life is like a plot of land, you need to get involved in the cultivation in order to reap benefits.” He warned the graduates to be wary of the weeds and stones they may at times encounter, but reminded them that good harvests could only be met with hard work and determination.

“God does not give us a finished product, so we cannot depend on luck, only hard work,” he said.

Watkins encouraged the young women to adapt to life’s principles and moral values and make them non-negotiable. He said they should always remember the important P’s of life which included purpose, passion, potential, perseverance and principle.

Leah Samaroo, science whiz, received special awards for biology, physics and chemistry whilst Chrisilda Brewster, described by Hosein as “a quiet young lady who was always willing to participate in school activities,” walked away with the principal’s award.