The Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd, Minister of Education, speaks to male public and private, junior and senior, high school outstanding students at a recognition ceremony at the House of Assembly, Thursday, August 5, 2021. The Hon. Frankie Campbell, Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, is shown at the back. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)
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Nassau, The Bahamas – The Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd, Minister of Education, joined the Hon. Halson Moultrie, Speaker of the House of Assembly, and the Hon. Frankie Campbell, Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, as they celebrated the success of outstanding males.
The Department of Gender and Family Affairs of the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development honoured 13 male students of public and private senior and junior high schools at the 2021 Young Men in Leadership Recognition and Certificate Ceremony at the House of Assembly, August 5.
The following students were recognized for their achievements as valedictorians, salutatorians, honour roll students and most improved:
Ackeem Adderley, Salutatorian – Government High School
Tremis Moss, Valedictorian – Akhepran Academy
Akil Rose, Principal’s List – C.V. Bethel
Antonio Andrews, Salutatorian -- Aquinas College
Solomon Burrows, Most Improved – C. I. Gibson
Collin Simmons, Salutatorian – Anatol Rogers
Shane Delancey, Honour Roll – Queen’s College
Dakarai Johnson, Salutatorian – Akhepran Academy
Dariq Chase, Salutatorian – Aquinas College
Shakhori Rose, Honour Roll – C. V. Bethel
Jeremiah Hepburn, Honour Roll – L. W. Young
Rodney Theophile, Salutatorian – C. I. Gibson
Denario Sweeting, Honour Roll – Doris Johnson
Minister Lloyd congratulated the young men for their success.
“The nation congratulates you and so do I. I am very proud of our young men and the tremendous expression that they have and continue to have in academic and vocational pursuits. I am very proud of you and your family and the community who contributed to your success,” he said.
He outlined 3 points:
Always be grateful;
Education never stops;
Don’t get distracted
“The world does not owe you a single thing except an opportunity. Firstly, thank God because any moment it can be over. There is so much to be thankful for.”
He referred to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, one of 17 SDGs established by the United Nations in 2015, of which The Bahamas is a signatory to -- the full title of which is "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all".
He encouraged the young men to continue to learn. “Today, education is directed by somebody; your teachers, parents, etc. From this day forward, or soon after it’s going to be directed by you. You are going to have to learn how to learn. We are teaching you now is how to learn, how to be curious, how to go and find the information for yourself. There must be some initiative,” he said.
Moreover, he urged the students to stay away from “bad” company explaining that bad company is not just physical beings.
“When you leave here I want you to look around your life and see those who are serious, focused and trying to go someplace. Those who are shucking and jiving stay away from them. Bad company is what you see, read, eat, be careful about what you listen to, be careful of what you are looking at; be careful of the people around you that’s corrupting. You don’t want people speaking negativity into your life. Speak life.”
Minister Lloyd thanked the Department of Gender and Family Affairs for hosting the event. He also acknowledged the families of the students represented, their teachers and others who have supported them.
