REMARKS
2024 COMMENCEMENT
EBENEZER THOMAS PRIMARY
JULY 2ND 2024
Presented by
Hon. Julian Fraser RA
2024 Commencement
Principal Maduro, on behalf of my wife, my Constituents of the 3rdDistrict and Myself, please accept our gratitude for the work and dedicated service of you and your staff in this another successful school year at Ebenezer Thomas Primary.
I also want to acknowledge the Board of Education and the Ministry for their regards for me as District Representative through their kind invitation to give remarks at this 2024 Commencement Exercise.
Class of 2024, this chapter is over, and now you must move on, and we, all of us are here to assure you that we are behind you 100%.
Class of 2024, we know that you are the best the territory has to offer at your age, but we also know that you are vulnerable.
We know that the transition you are about to make from Primary to Secondary will be the greatest challenge you have ever faced, both physically and academically, but most of all socially.
For while your physical state will be obvious, and you can bring home your academics and consult others on it, the social challenges cannot be shared.
A lot of how you deal with this transition will be up to you.
My advice is to follow the teachings you’ve learned here at this school, and never withhold information from your parents, no matter how insignificant it may seem to you.
Because unlike other schools in the community which has both Elementary and Secondary Divisions, you must leave this compound as you move on, and therefore can’t escape those challenges normally faced with transition.
Class of 2024, as you move on to Secondary School, I implore you to take seriously the expectations in your new role as the soon to be future leaders of your new school.
As such, you are to keep up the academic standards already set by those before you, and strive to break new grounds.
These things don’t just happen by chance or by luck, they happen by you adapting the habits that fosters excellence.
Let me offer you some study tips that I never had:
1. Take a break from social media.
2. Find a peaceful spot to study.
3. Be engaged, take notes, and listen during discussions.
4. Use colorful highlighters in organizing information.
5. Make use of your extra time wisely.
6. Use a planner to track your homework & other tasks.
7. Have an organizational system in place.
8. Create a routine.
9. Have daily and weekly objectives in place.
10. Do not procrastinate.
11. Join study groups.
12. Manage high school stress.
13. Take advantage of the technology available.
14. Consider your learning style.
15. Evaluate yourself.
Class of 2024, this is your first time here, but not for us, because we do this every year.
So when we tell you that the road ahead is wide open and that the opportunities are limitless, it’s because we know.
Likewise, when we tell you of the challenges, that too comes from our experience.
At a recent graduation one speaker reminded the graduates of the words of Charles Dickens Tales of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”.
This quote suggests that certain periods of time can be simultaneously filled with immense joy and unbelievable suffering.
Class of 2024, it will be remiss of me, and definitely a disservice to you, if I was to leave here this morning without acknowledging the arduous task you faced in having to overcome both Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and COVID-19 to get here.
You would have been the first to deal with the aftermath of those dreaded hurricanes.
So, for that I commend you all highly.
Let me also, on behalf of my wife, the people of the Third District and myself extend a well-deserved congratulation to you, and to acknowledge your hard work and commitment to your education.
And also, to encourage you to forge ahead, because the future of this country depends on where you take it.
Parents I thank you for your sincere contributions to your children’s education, and I encourage you to redouble your efforts to finish what you have started.
Congratulations to the Principal and her staff for the job they have done.
I look forward with enthusiasm for your future progress.
BOOKLET MESSAGE
Ebenezer Thomas Primary School
Exiting Class of 2024 Congratulatory Message
On behalf of my wife, the people of the Third District and Myself, I extend a sincere and most deserving congratulations to the 30 successful candidates of the Class of 2024. And also wish to acknowledge the role the Principal and Staff, together with the Ministry has played in affording me the privilege to make this contribution.
Graduates of 2024, if you look at the history of this school which goes back more than a century, you will find that it has fostered people of all walks including a Premier of this territory. You Graduates are standing in the shadows of giants who have preceded you. I urge you to use that as a motivator while at the same time remain humble.
No matter what the world thinks, you as every human being on earth will end up doing what pleases you, so I’m not going to be so presumptuous as to tell you what to do. What I will do however, is encourage you to think of those around you and choose wisely. At your age, the possibilities are as endless as the needs of the world are. Just remember that whatever you do has consequences, and you are going to have to live with them. It’s all up to you.
As all 30 of you in this Class take this bold step towards a Secondary Education, I just want you to remember those who sacrificed much to make this happen and show some gratitude. You can start while on your way back to your seats, by taking a good look at your parents or guardians and as you observe that look on their faces saying it was all worth it, just say thank you.
Class of 2024, we are all proud of you.
Again, I say congratulations.
Sincerely,
Julian Fraser, RA
House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands
