LUCEA, Hanover — All the hard work that Norman Manley Law School student Darien Streete put in will be worth it when he takes the graduation stage on September 28. He is one of three students who got an A in at least six courses and he has been chosen to give an address on behalf of the class.

The 24-year-old, who is from humble beginnings, is grateful for all who have helped him along the way.

“I am extremely grateful for all the assistance that was offered to me throughout the journey. There was also a tremendous outpouring of love and support and this is something that I cherish daily. I recognise the importance of the fact that persons have sacrificed towards my success and this is something that I don’t take for granted,” stated Streete.

He sees his accomplishments as an excellent way to show his gratitude to all who have invested in him.

After three years of studying he was awarded a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours, followed by two years at the Norman Manley Law School at The University of the West Indies where he made the principal’s Roll of Honour. He has also made an impact in extra curricular activities and represented the school in an International Law Moot Court Competition in Trinidad and Tobago.

Streete’s impressive performance in and outside of the classroom helped him access financial support to cover a tuition fee of more than $1.3 million for each academic year. For example, in 2022, impressed with his outstanding performance in his Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) exams, the Hanover Municipal Corporation awarded him a bursary of $30,000 to assist with his law school tuition. It was part of an annual initiative by the local government ministry to recognise children of registered poor who performed well in their CAPE, Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), and Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations.

Streete also received scholarships from National Commercial Bank, Hanover Charities, and Tryall Fund.

“I genuinely don’t think that I would have been able to do all that I have done without all of the support that I have received from the Hanover Municipal Corporation and from the other organisations that have contributed to my academics,” he said.

Mayor of Lucea Sheridan Samuels was beaming with joy when he spoke on behalf of the corporation during the last regular monthly general meeting of the Hanover Municipal Corporation.

Samuels said the corporation has been supporting Streete from his formative years in high school.

“We are caring. We have been caring for the poor. We have been assisting this student from he was attending Cornwall College and I am sorry that it wasn’t Rusea’s [High School in Hanover] that he was attending,” joked Samuels who is a Rusea’s alumnus. “We have been assisting him and here he is now. He has completed his course and now has a law degree.”

The mayor offered words of encouragement to other beneficiaries.

“Congratulations to all our many other Poor Relief students who continue to work well at their various levels of studies. We trust that Mr Streete’s success will serve as an inspiration for them and many others,” he said.

Streete is now waiting to be called to the bar by the end of the year. His goal is to specialise in civil practice, corporate and commercial law, and estate matters.

He urged students from a similar background to his to make sure their beginning does not determine where they end up in life.

“There are so many opportunities out there. There are so many things that they can do, whether academically or otherwise, to uplift themselves. They should never be afraid to make the first step of being bold enough to ask, because once you have done that and put in the work, there are others who will be willing to assist them. I have done it and it wasn’t easy, but with determination, they too can achieve success,” predicted Streete.