Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Strategic Konnections and Management Services Ltd Natalie St Louis has urged members of the graduating class of her alma mater, Marymount High School, to always believe in themselves and prepare themselves for achievements which will lead to greatness.

St Louis was delivering the main address at the St Mary-based institution’s annual school-leaving exercise last week at its campus on the outskirts of the central town of Highgate.

“You all have greatness inside of you, you are God’s masterpiece divinely created by him and placed on this planet, as you have a purpose. Find your passion and purpose and all else will fall in place and always, always put God first and honour him and he will direct your path,” she told the graduating class.

The former vice-president of bill collection agency Paymaster Ltd shared her life experiences with the students, urging them all the time to position themselves to grasp opportunities when they arise.

“Know who you are and whose you are…you are a child of a King …you are special and there is nothing that you can conceive that you cannot achieve,” she reinforced.

“I learnt this from a very early age despite coming from very humble beginning where resources were scarce and sacrifies had to be made by my parents to ensure that me and my siblings were given the opportunity of a good education,” she shared with the gathering.

Speaking under the theme ‘Destined for achievements … poised for greatness, the business executive urged the youngsters not to sit on their laurels while changes occur all over the globe and they are not a part of the process.

“Graduates … the beginning of your destiny starts here today. The fact that you are seated on this very platform is significant and a testimony that you can do it… you did it! This is your start of your achievement journey; poising you for greatness. You have already been given the special gifts of a solid foundation from your parents/guardians, and the amazing legacy of being a part of this noble instuition with the most awesome teachers on the planet…make use of these gifts and build on it and make it matter.

“There are many past students who used these gifts to excel and have contributed positively and significantly to nation-building, and have made and is still making their mark where, despite the odds, they were able to succeed and become exceptional leaders in various industries and institutions across the globe.

“Fresh in my mind is my treasured and incredible mentor, pioneer, entrepreneur par excellence, the gracious and delightful Ambassador Audrey Marks, a distinguished graduate of this school, who has made an extraordinary and beyond outstanding mark, especially in a male-dominated world, to have started the first multi-payment transaction company in the region; the first female to chair the American Chamber of Commerce; the first to be appointed, twice, as Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States; an exceptional and iconic leader whose accomplishments are many.

“There is also one of my best friends from first form… Ms Nadine Molloy, who was an outstanding President of the Jamaica Teachers Association and [is] now the Principal of Ardenne High School and has and still is creating waves in the education arena; my two other best friend from Marymount days — Audrey Watson Atkinson making waves in the financial world and Gaye Willis Bryan a successful entrepreneur both now residing overseas — and the impressive list goes on … all my fellow past students are all making waves in their chosen fields of endeavour…you name it.. Marymount past students are a positive part of it.

“So graduants… you all can continue on the amazing legacy. All things that were achieved by mankind started with the belief in oneself and that it could be done. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and don’t be afraid to fail.

“The average successful business person failed seven times before succeeding. It takes courage, perseverance and being bold. Steve Jobs the genius who invented Apple computers and the Iphone that we all think that we can’t do without, came from humble beginnings.

“Apple was started in a garage. Steve Jobs failed, had many setback times over, but never gave up and each time got better and better and built an empire that is valued over US$250 billion today,” St Louis stated.

She also encouraged the graduating group to “dream big”, while positioning themselves to follow the example of Jamaica’s greatest sports personality.

“Look at Usain Bolt. How do you believe that a skinny little kid from a place call Sherwood Content in Trelawny came to be arguably the world’s greatest athlete? Do you think that being contented had anything to do with it? Absolutely not! On the contrary, at no time in his life had he ever felt contented.

“He always believed that he could do better and that is why he is the world best … and so can you graduates. You can be the best in your chosen area of life. Do not for one minute think that this is it. Your race in life has just began … dream big… never settle … don’t be afraid … look fear in the eye and persevere. Life will put many obstacles in you path that will come out of nowhere … but keep moving. Every single thing that happens in your life is preparing you for your moment to shine. Use every setback as a comeback and see your experiences as a blessing or a lesson.

“Who would have thought that me, a little girl that grew up in country, St Mary…not coming from any wealth, that went to an all-age school that not many people have every heard about…Clonmel… where is that? …was able to go to and fit into the prestigious Immaculate High School sixth form and actually was the Ms Congenality export from St Mary that got on with everyone and have enduring friendship and bonds from then; to the girl that, while working full- time fresh out of sixth form, pursued her first degree in Management and Economics and came out with honours…and pursued her Master,s in Business Administration and had the audacity and temerity… to even think of applying to Harvard Business school and got in to study her executive education and while working in the field of media and communication was named the Marketing Personality of the Year and was recognised with a certificate of appreciation by the Advertising Association of Jamaica among many others all while giving back those personal time and the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston serving as first Vice President, Director and Chairman ….all this while starting a family at an early age…and the list goes on.

“I dared to dream and am still pursuing my dreams on my bucket list. one recently was to have registered my own company — Strategic Konnections and Management Services Limited — and yes I did and so can each and everyone of you.

“Ladies and gentlemen….Class of 2017… I leave you with a few life nuggets in closing that I have garnered through my own life experiences and from various muses that I believe will help to enhance your road map to continued achievement and greatness….

•Always seek to improve

yourself and grow your

minds

•Be grateful…an attitude of

gratitude will carry you a far

way

•Be determined, focused and

relenting in the pursuit of

your passion and excellence

•Surround yourself with

positive people

•Be confident in yourself

•Take risks, be bold, ask for

what you want

•Don’t fear failure

•Don’t delay…leap into your

dreams

•Be honest and live a life

laced with integrity

•Be kind, respectful, reliable

and dependable

•Live, Love, Laugh

•Travel and read variously

•Save and invest

•Give back

•Always give your best and

go above and beyond

•Never settle

•Be positive

•Embrace change

•Think outside of the box

•Don’t waste your time

•Create breathtaking

moments

•Never quit, no matter what,

always get up and show up

“Above all… keep God at the forefront of your lives and never forget whose you are and who you are… you are a child of a King and the most high….never forget who are in him and he is in you,” St Louis urged.