HIGH ACHIEVERS RECOGNIZED WITH PRIZES, AWARDS, AS GATHERING TOLD THAT MANY BEAT REGIONAL, NATIONAL AVERAGES
OCHO RIOS, St Ann; July 10, 2025
On a day when the Liberty Learning Centre (LLC) graduated its largest cohort of primary students in its 10-year history, parents, family, friends, and educators heard exhortations to and praise of the graduates, some of whom contributed to high-quality entertainment during the school’s graduation exercise.
(A parent Rene Bailey presents subject prizes to Student of the Year Dhaneik Haughton and Top Performer in PEP Ajani Foster)
The theme for the event on Thursday, June 26, 2025, was “Rooted in Excellence: Reaching New Heights”. See also the story detailing the performance of the school LIBERTY LEARNING CENTRE GRADUATES 52
(Guest speaker Delroy Williams)
The graduates, the girls in white formal dresses and the boys in suits, entered the Ocho Rios Baptist Church in a slow march to Audrey Hepburn’s ‘Moon River’. Welcome was done by Kaylee Dixon and Tihara Gordon.
Rev Dr Colin Cowan did the opening prayer.
(Teachers Monique Laing and Tiffany Chambers Clarke doing a selection dedicated to the graduates)
Michelle Black thrilled the audience with ‘Goodness of God’ and returned later with an excellent rendition of ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’. The entertainment package, interspersed through the programme, also featured a serene presentation of ‘I’m Your Angel’ by Alex Welcome and Kelsha McDonald. Mr Welcome’s solo performance of ‘The Impossible Dream’ was equally impressive.
(The talented Ethan Bourne, fully into it, during scintillating drumming by the school band. Bourne and Zavion Whyte also did the vote of thanks.)
A musical piece with energetic and dynamic drumming by the school band, led by Uncle Keino, was one of the high points of the event. Monique Laing and Tiffany Clarke, teachers at the school, did a selection of ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ in tribute to the graduates.
( Keino Barnett encourages applause for the LLC Band as the boys beat out heart-warming music on drums)
Chairman of the school Board, Carlyn Stewart, had high praise for the team, led by Principal Rosemarie Brent Harris and Executive Director Audette Isaacs. In addressing the students, she said: “I’ve never seen children as amazing as you.” Ms Stewart said the team at LLC “has nurtured not just the academics but also character.”
(Alex Welcome and Kelsha McDonald in “I’m Your Angel’)
Also giving a charge to the students was Tashagye Minto, a parent.
School certificates were presented by last year’s Head Girl, Nylah Phipps.
(Former Headgirl Nylah Phipps presenting School Leaving Certificates)
PEP awards and their winners (top performers), presented with plaques, were:
- Mathematics – Ajani Foster
- Science – Tresor Gordon and Rehiem Rose
- Language Arts – Tresor Gordon
- Social Studies – Dhaneik Haughton and Rehiem Rose
- Ability Test – Seven (7) students received awards for being in the 80th-89th percentile ranking, and eighteen (18) students for being in the 90th-98th percentile ranking.
- Another prestigious school award, the Nathan Stanley Award for Spelling and Vocabulary, was presented to Ajani Foster for his exceptional performance throughout the academic year 2024 – 2025.
The valedictory address was presented by Jonathan, Ricardo Dhaneik, and Gianna, with Ricardo Atkinson, Head Boy, giving a glimpse of his dramatic talent.
Ajani Foster introduced the guest speaker, Delroy Williams.
Mr Williams, an accomplished and experienced educator, Principal of Iona High School, St Mary, congratulated the graduates and encouraged them. He said, “wherever you are planted, go there and do well.”
He appealed to parents to continue their close involvement with the students at high school. He said it was his experience that “where there is strong parental involvement with our students, they do better at school.”
Ethan Bourne and Zavion White did the vote of thanks.
