Janelle Christie
Thirty six students graduated from the Moneague College on Thursday, December 1, 2016.
Students from the main campus in Moneague and the satellite campuses in Port Maria, St Mary and Linstead, St Catherine graduated from courses including business studies, hospitality and tourism management, computer servicing and electronics, criminal justice, environmental studies, social work, primary education, early childhood education, business and information technology and also from the Career Advancement Programme(CAP). Some of these graduates obtained their Bachelor of Science Degree and Associate of Science Degree, as well as, their Bachelors and Diploma in primary education.
Chairman of the board of management, Leon A. Gordon lead the procession of the platform party at the beginning of the function, after which vice chairman, Reverend Michael Llewellyn shared a word of prayer.
Six of the thirty six graduates were presented with special awards for outstanding performance throughout the school year. The awardees are: SanicaTrottman, Richard McGibbon Trophy for most outstanding Food and Beverage student; Janice Fagan, Winnifred Brown Trophy for outstanding academic performance in hospitality and tourism; Andrick Perry, displaying values, dignity, decorum and discipline; Toni Harrison, most outstanding academic Council of Community Colleges of Jamaica (CCCJ) student; Opiz Brown, Principal’s Trophy and Javaun Sewell for most outstanding student.
Acting principal Jacqueline Thames in her reflection congratulated the graduating batch on their achievement and also those who have supported them.
According to Ms Thames, despite the several changes in staff and administration since the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year, they have accomplished a lot. There are over 1,600 students enrolled on all three campuses and they have reaped successes in academics, social development and sporting events. The Moneague College team has emerged as winners in the netball competition among colleges in Jamaica.
Ms Thames also promised that the school will protect its legacy and encouraged the graduates to do well beyond the walls of the institution. She also urged them not to sow seeds of deceit but those of integrity as “Truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to paradise.”
Ricardo Hewitt, operations manager on duty at Moon Palace Jamaica Grande was the guest speaker at the ceremony and was introduced by Miss Moneague 2016, ShukuraWallen.
Mr Hewitt challenged the graduates to question their ability by asking, “What will be your story, what is your legacy?” He extended gratitude, on behalf of the graduates, to those lecturers who have done a very ‘dapper job’ in molding the batch of students who proudly walked the stage on Thursday, December1. He also encouraged the graduates to take risks as, “the greater the risk, the greater the reward.”
OPPORTUNITIES
Using his experiences of rough times, he spoke of how he overcame his failures through constant work, simplicity, humility and making use of his opportunities. He implored the graduates to be aware and seize every opportunity they get to do something great and not to yield to self doubt and laziness.
Mr Hewitt used the word of his young son who was the guest speaker for a Kindergarten graduating class to persuade the graduate that “if I can can, you can can.”
In light of the theme for the institution’s 60th Anniversary –‘Embracing change, soaring to new heights,” — valedictorian, Toni Harrison spoke of the transition into college and the change they have experienced during their tenure. She also made mention of the new bonds, responsibilities and sacrifices that had been made in order to complete their studies.
On behalf of her fellow graduates who she also thanked for having supported each other, Ms Harrison expressed gratitude to those who have instilled values in them that will help them to “surpass all expectations.”
The ceremony was concluded by vice principal of academics, Leroy Harvey who, in his vote of thanks, expressed gratitude to all those who participated in the programme.
