By Janelle Christie
Hundreds of students from the main and satellite campuses of the Moneague College, Monday morning October 23, gathered at the school’s auditorium in Moneague, St Ann, to celebrate the legacy of the school’s first principal, Dr Aubrey S. Phillips.
Dr Phillips’ legacy was celebrated at the college’s annual Aubrey Phillips Lecture.
The Moneague College is celebrating 61 years, after opening its doors as an emergency teacher training college in 1956, under the leadership of the late Dr Phillips.
Dr Phillips is said to have been “an unassuming person of great humanity” and a “son of the Jamaican soil”.
Renowned gospel artist Jermaine Edwards and friends, captivated the audience as they conducted devotion.
Students and staff members were on their feet singing Edwards’ hit songs‘Hallelujah’ and ‘Beautiful Day’,among others.
Placement and marketing officer at the Moneague College, Delroy Williams who was the chairperson for the programme extended the welcome.
Opening remarks were given by the principal Howard Isaacs. Mr Isaacs expressed his delight in honouring Dr Phillips who has made a change for a worthy cause with education. In the same breath, Mr Isaacs challenged the students to be optimistic and hold “optimism close to you.”
The guest lecturer for the function was project coordinator and communication specialist for the University Council of Jamaica, Daren Miller.
Mr Miller shared some of his experiences of growing up in a poor family and how he succeeded with optimism.
At just, 25-year-old, Miller has succeeded in many areas.
He encouraged the students to have “positive phycology” as the way they see the world impacts their success.
Mr Miller added that sometimes the power of the mind causes people not to achieve, or to doubt themselves and kill their dreams. “Disrupt the negative narrative…take a leap…excel with your best self,” he said.
Mr Miller concluded his address with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase”.
The Moneague College expressed gratitude to Mr Miller for having shared with them, life lessons and great advice. Student Monike Greenland did a presentation on behalf of her peers and the staff of the college.
The college’s ensemble had the audience rock another time for the morning’s proceedings, with their selection ‘Anything’s possible’ by Tessanne Chin.
The vote of thanks was delivered by student Terryann Taylor.
The programme concluded with the singing of the school song.
