Sashia Godet collects her awards Photos 1 of 7

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – THE graduating class of the Charlestown Secondary School (CSS) and the Nevis Sixth Form College has been urged to build on the legacy of excellence built by their predecessors.

The encouragement came from Marilyn Rogers who delivered the keynote address at the institution’s 2009 graduation and prize-giving ceremony on Wednesday (Nov. 18) at the Charlestown Methodist Church.

Rogers said excellence has become a habit at CSS over the 60 years of its existence, and encouraged the class of 2009 to be role models and mentors for those following them and to “treasure, preserve and build on the legacy of excellence”.

Rogers also commended Principal Edson Elliott and his staff for their role in maintaining the quality of students coming out of the institution and urged them not to become complacent, but to strive for higher levels of achievement. While pointing out that not every student could achieve academic excellence, Rogers said she was heartened to learn of the four students who entered the school at the remedial level and were able to write subjects at CSEC.

The guest speaker further pointed out that excellence is not only achieved in academics or the sporting fields but also in “our quality of character, how we relate to our fellow man, and who we are as human beings”.

“We are all well aware that academic excellence is important if we as a people are to achieve economic progress, and there is abundant evidence that we have made strides in both areas. But there is another excellence that is extremely critical to our individual and collective well being. This kind of excellence is not often popularly rewarded. It is not demonstrated by academic ability, by sporting prowess or by A’s on a report card, prizes, trophies and applause. It is not won in a competition.”

According to Rogers, this kind of excellence is manifested when “our lives are governed by spiritual, moral and ethical values”.

She said it is also manifested in self-respect and recognition of the dignity and worth of one’s fellowman; by one’s sense of responsibility, integrity and service.

“It lies in our ability and our resolve to empower, motivate and inspire others to do beyond their limitations and improve the circumstances and those around them, and change our communities.”

Rogers went on to say it is the excellence of being a good citizen “which means valuing the good of our community above our home. It means offering our time, energy, and resources generously to those around us who are in need. It is the kind of excellence that promotes a sense of stability and dignity among us and allows us to interact peacefully, constructively and harmoniously with each other”.

Rogers also said that the kind of excellence she was talking about does not glorify crude and uncouth behaviour and pass it off as being cool or “part of our culture”; nor does it excuse habitual lateness as being “West Indian”.

The guest speaker, herself a former student of CSS, congratulated the graduates saying they should be proud of themselves. She had special praise for State Scholarship winner Sashia Godet, who was also the top student at CAPE; Godet’s runner-up Michelle Slack; top CSEC student Khalin Nisbett and lead CCSLC student Jahnile Nisbett.

Also addressing the students was Permanent Secretary of Education Joseph Wiltshire who deputised for Minister of Education, Premier, Hon. Joseph Parry. Wiltshire said they had come to the end of their secondary education but this should not be the summit of their achievements, whether it is in the world of work or in the pursuit of tertiary education.

Godet, and the two Nisbetts  delivered valedictory speeches.