KINGSTON, Jamaica — The grade six cohort of the Maverley Primary and Infant School were charged by the guest speaker to go forth and excel wherever they were placed based on their performance in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations.

The joint ceremony, which took place last Wednesday, combined a school leaving ceremony for 44 students and a transitioning ceremony of 57 students graduating from the infant department and who will move on to the primary department come September.

The ceremony was held inside a nearby church hall at Fellowship Tabernacle at 2 Fairfield Avenue, Kingston 20.

Among the speakers at the hours-long ceremony were Member of Parliament (MP) for St Andrew North Western, Duane Smith, who encouraged the graduates to “dream big, work diligently and never give up on where you came from”.

“Carry with you the values you learnt here at Maverley — respect, resilience and responsibility. Be kind to others, be curious, be courageous and always believe you have something special to offer; your future is bright,” Smith said.

The MP, who was on his second of four graduation ceremonies for the day, all being held at the same time, presented the top boy — Caleb Newland and top girl — Shanola Campbell each with $50,000 cash and a laptop computer. Caleb earned a place at Calabar High School while Shanola is off to Merl Grove High School.

Not to be outdone, councillor for the Hughenden Division which includes Maverley, Andrew Harris, gifted the top girl and boy with tablets. Harris, a graduate of the school, told those in attendance that, “Maverley means so much to me because I am a proud graduate of the school when it was Maverley All-Age.” He then urged the graduates to remain focused throughout their time in high school.

Principal, Maverley Primary and Infant School, Valentine Spencer is flanked by top boy Caleb Newland and top girl Shanola Campbell

“My message to you is that when you go into high school do not follow the people who can’t help you,” said Harris. He told them it was always easy for them to get carried away and to go with the wrong crowd. He implored them to “try and find yourself in company with those who are brighter than you, those who can actually lift you up. Don’t run with the wrong crowd”.

Councillor Harris told the graduating class that all they have achieved to date will come to nought if they hang with the wrong friends. “You’re not going to make your parents proud; you’re not going to make anybody else proud including yourself if you follow the wrong crowd,” he emphasised.

For his part, guest speaker Lucien Reid, education officer for Region 1, urged the graduating class to always strive for excellence. He also encouraged them to grow at the school they are placed instead of requesting transfers from the Ministry of Education.

Education Officer, Region 1 Lucien Reid