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Eleuthera honours achievers

“Prepared for Tomorrow!” With these words, the Eleuthera School District’s motto for this year, formed a background for the recent ceremony in Savannah Sound honouring high achievers from across the island. After opening with prayer, the National Anthem and congregational singing of “It Only Takes A Spark”, those present were treated to a recitation of a poem by Grade 3 student, Vernell McIntosh from Tarpum Bay Primary, in which she expressed in a very animated fashion, her desire to be the first female Prime Minister of The Bahamas.

The honorees were then congratulated by Mrs. Marie Johnson, President of the North Eleuthera High P.T.A., by Ivan Ferguson, Administrator for South Eleuthera, and by The Honourable Alvin Smith, Member of Parliament for North Eleuthera and Leader of the Opposition in the House of Assembly. Harbour Island student, Deandra Sawyer, entertained everyone with a song and the Central Eleuthera High Band played several lively numbers. Mrs. Carnetta Ferguson, Superintendent of the Eleuthera School District, congratulated the honorees and spoke on the role parents and teachers play in motivating children to strive for excellence. Special Guest Speaker, Mrs. Veronica Owens, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, expressed congratulations to the award winners, described the points of leadership and encouraged the students to continue to work to be leaders and high achievers as they move through not only their school years but through their adult life.

The award winners were then presented to the proud parents, teachers and administrators assembled there. Based on last June’s District exams, the top three students from Grades 2, 4, 5, and 7 were recognized and given trophies. These students represented eight different schools, with the Spanish Wells All Age School placing a child in the top three at each grade level. The Grade 3 and Grade 6 GLAT results were used to select the top three students at these grade levels and the highest achievers came from Emma Cooper Primary – Chelseyann Bipat, Spanish Wells All Age – Dane Sands and St. Anne’s Primary – Kenique Pinder. At the Grade 3 level, St. Anne’s Primary had the best overall results while at the Grade 6 level, James’ Cistern Primary achieved this distinction. However, Shiphrah Deal of Emma Cooper Primary, Tyler Albury of Spanish Wells All Age, and Waysha McKinney of Saint Anne’s Primary all of grade six were the top three. Students from the Centre for Exceptional Learners at Savannah Sound were also recognized as being the Most Helpful and Most Improved Students.

At the High School level, students achieving an A average in BJC exams were honoured, with Central Eleuthera High receiving the best overall results. Elsheika Thompson and Andrea Culmer of Preston H. Albury, Kendra Culmer of Windermere High, Anderson Higgs and Sasha Newbold of Spanish Wells All Age and Petreann Hastie of North Eleuthera High were the top achievers. Students showing outstanding achievement in BGCSE were also introduced, though some of their awards were accepted by “beaming” parents as their off-spring have moved on to colleges off-island and could not be present. Windemere High received the best overall results in the BGCSE. Javan Tannis of Central Eleuthera High, Otis Johnson, Abdrea Thompson, Vanessa Brown, Holly Pearce, and Horacio Smith all of Windermere High, Lucinda Morley and Jod-ann Mundell of Preston H. Albury High were the top achievers.
Sports achievement was then acknowledged with the top boys and girls in the Senior, Junior and Primary levels receiving trophies. Central Eleuthera High, Harbour Island All Age and Green Castle Primary are the home schools of these outstanding athletes from last spring’s Track Meets.

The Grade 3 and Grade 6 winners of last year’s District Mathademics, who came from Emma Cooper and Devanna McCartnet of Tarpum Bay Primary respectively, were also honoured, receiving computers and printers for their success in this challenging Math Competition. The District Spelling Bee winner from Central Eleuthera High, Ean Johnson, was also present and received his award.
In recognizing student achievements on Eleuthera, many facets of a young person’s development were considered to be important and three areas were acknowledged at the Awards Ceremony – academic, athletic and artistic. In the latter area, students who participated in an art display and contest entitled Family Life in The Bahamas, held last May at the Adolescent Counselling Centre in Governor’s Harbour, were presented, and Mrs. Theresa Burrows, Director of the Centre, awarded them monetary prizes. Gregory Town Primary was also acknowledged for its participation in the bulletin board section of the display and the Grade 6 students of P.A. Gibson Primary received a TV for their school in recognition of their participation.

The entire ceremony reflected the high level of scholarship and talent that exists here on the island of Eleuthera and, as was expressed in the programme for the day, will “Ignite the Passion for Life-Long Learning”, challenging not only those students who were recognized and received awards to continue to achieve, but motivating many others to strive for excellence in all they do.

Windermere High School receives prestigious award

by Dawn Sands
Advocate Correspondent

Windermere High School was honored for its students “outstanding performance” in The Bahamas National Examinations during a ceremony at the Education Resource Center Savannah Sound, Eleuthera. According to results released by the Bahamas Ministry of Education following the 2002 Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Schools Examination (BGCSE), Windermere High School had the best overall results in Eleuthera. Windermere placed tenth out of the thirty-three schools in the Bahamas that had a third of their students passed with C's and above.

During the ceremony, several students of Windermere High were recognized for their outstanding work and admirable achievements in the 2002 exams. John Clarke previous class advisor said, “It is good that our results and hard work is finally being recognized by the powers that be”. Students that were honored passed five or more subjects with C’s and above.

Windermere High School has traveled through the decades; it has built a solid academic program and the proof of which can be found in its consistently high-test results and academic achievements. The admirable aspect of their academic program is each student in the senior class has an opportunity to take all of the seven subjects offered. It is apparent that it was an extraordinary academic year in the history of Windermere High School.

Debate Champs

Central Eleuthera High will go on to represent Eleuthera in Nassau

by Christen Johnso
Advocate Cub Reporter

On Friday, November 8th, a great debate of unprecedented magnitude was waged at the Resource Center in Savannah Sound. Central Eleuthera High School and Preston Albury High School Debate Teams displayed their mastery over the English language. They used their large wealth of vocabulary words, and excellent speech qualities to prove that they had what it took to represent the Eleuthera District at the zone finals in Nassau.

Both debate teams consisted of 3 members and one substitute. The judges’ panel consisted of 3 of Eleuthera’s finest speakers, and the teams were coached by Ms. Vaulda Caesar, and Mrs. Carol Davis. The teams were debating the topic, “Education has failed to prepare students for the future”. Preston Albury debated against this idea; their speakers isolated 3 basic ways education has benefited students. The three they mentioned were at home, school and the church. They logically helped us to appreciate that the home is the fundamental basis for one’s education; parents train children how to be productive adults. It was also reasoned that schooling has not failed students because we have numerous examples of successful adults such as the recording artists Baha Men, and the Golden Girls. They also mentioned that teachers do all they can to train students, but it is up to the student to succeed. Finally, they argued that the church was and is the source of spiritual guidance or education for persons today.

Central Eleuthera High, on the other hand, opposed this idea. Central Eleuthera supported the idea that education fails to prepare students for the future in that, firstly, students are not taught how to think critically. They reasoned that had school taught students to think critically, then perhaps so many persons would not have to be constantly told what to do how to react to situations. They would have the ability to think for themselves analyze a situation and derive a plausible solution to the problem. It was also mentioned that the average grade on the BGCSE is D. This is viewed as a pass by our school system, where other colleges and foreign schools view this as a failure. In this way they reasoned that education was not preparing students for the future.

When all was said and done the judges took several minutes to tally their scores. The judges were looking for several things in particular. A few of these things were gestures, speech quality or modulation (which has to do with inflicting ‘expression’ on certain words), slowing down or pausing where appropriate. These and other aspects of speech are what were expected of each speaker. The winner was Central Eleuthera High, with a combined total of 826 points. After winning this debate, Central Eleuthera High will go on to represent the entire island of Eleuthera in Nassau at the beginning of the New Year.
Congratulations are in order for both teams for their courage and ability to speak before their peers. May the Central Eleuthera High team do us all proud in their quest for victory!

In pursuit of higher learning

By Tesia Rolle

Curious little fingers reach for the radio sitting on the table. Very aware that he is committing a capital offense in his household, a small boy searches for some tool to unfasten the back compartment of the gadget. As he delves further into his investigation of how the machine works, he is unaware of the approaching footsteps. Just as he is pulling the wires apart, a sharp intake of breath at his back causes his fingers to freeze. “Kiron! What are you doing?!”

This could have described a day in the life of a younger Kiron Ingraham. Now 18 years old, and wiser in his ways, this confident college student from Palmetto Point, Eleuthera, fondly recalls how his curiosity as a child often got him into serious trouble with his parents. It was this natural curiosity, this innate desire to know ‘how’ machines were able to work, that led Kiron to enroll in the Engineering program at the College of The Bahamas.

It was the Scotiabank Scholarship that enabled him to do so. One of 13 lucky recipients, and the other of only 2 from Eleuthera, Kiron Ingraham has embarked on a journey that, he hopes, will lead him to DeVry University and from there…
He has faced a number of challenges getting to this point, not the least of which was maintaining the 3.0 grade average necessary to win the scholarship. Kiron says that he did not like to study and it was difficult to make the grade. He attributes his success to his mother, who pushed him when he needed pushing and directed him in the way he should go. She remains his inspiration and even though he is living in Nassau, the commitment to learning that she awakened in him drives him still. He is no longer doing it just for her; higher learning and a successful future is now something he wants for himself. “I am determined now. See, at first I didn’t care. All of the pushing helped me to set my mind. I want to do it for me.”

That commitment to learning is proving useful now as Kiron faces perhaps the greatest challenge a male college student will face – girls, girls, girls.
According to Kiron, the girls from Nassau are more persistent than any he has ever come across. “They wait until they finish their own homework before they come bug me,” he says. If there is one single threat to Kiron’s college success, it is the distraction of female attention.
Kiron has come up with his own battle plan to counter the girls’ tactics. He has determined that the campus is not safe, not even the library. His plan is to avoid detection at all costs by sticking to a little known route that has proven safe over time to those who use it – home, school and back home again.
Kiron will need to stay ever vigilant in his pursuit of higher learning. He has come across another unexpected, and unwelcome discovery. While he did receive much needed encouragement and support from his community, his schooling in Eleuthera did not prepare him for the field of study he has chosen. He finds himself at a disadvantage to Nassau students, who have all been exposed to sciences he has never been taught. Physics, a science critical to the field of engineering, was not a part of the curriculum at Kiron’s school in Eleuthera and because of that, he is now struggling to keep up.
Being the first in his family to attend college, Kiron is determined to succeed. He wishes to set an example for his brothers and sisters and hopes to be an inspiration to them in much the way his mother has been to him. He is following a path that few Family Island youth do. According to Kiron, most Eleutheran students are encouraged to become lawyers, doctors or accountants for the large incomes those professions generate. His love for working with his hands and his determination to follow his heart has set him on another course, and if he sticks to the work ethic that has been cultivated in him by his family and Palmetto Point community, there is no doubt that he will succeed.
The curious little boy who used to ‘get row’ for taking apart mama’s radio has grown into an intelligent young man who just can’t wait to get his hands on mama’s t.v.

Y.E.A.S.T. hosts 4th Annual Camp in Eleuthera

Deputy Prime Minster, Hon. Cynthia “Mother” Pratt visited Eleuthera during a passing out ceremony of the fourth annual Character & Leadership Development Camp held at Camp Symonette, in James Cistern, Eleuthera. The Youth Empowerment & Skills and Training Institute (Y.E.A.S.T) hosted the camp, emphasizing mainly on God, education, survival skills, and self-awareness. The six week camp was designed to teach high school dropouts, delinquents and ex-gang members’ respect. This included respect for others, property, self, authority figures, and more importantly, respect for rules and expectations. The program offered a military-type regimentation including a strong set of rules with high expectations and follow through.

An aspect of the program focuses on participants becoming responsible. This begins with taking responsibility for basic needs such as warmth, food, and shelter. Alley LaFleur a trainee at the camp, reminisced on his camping adventure which focused mainly on responsibility and leadership. “We were camping for four days, we were hungry, cold and wet, we were at our last match, we scratched it, and the worst possible thing happened, it broke”. He then went on to say “the program was challenging at times, but the rewards of character development through the building of spirit, mind and body made the challenges worthwhile”.
Hon. Cynthia “Mother” Pratt delivered the principal address at the ceremony; she encouraged the young men to become positive role models and law-abiding citizens. “Many people thought you wouldn’t have made it, but just look them in the face and smile” said Hon. Cynthia “Mother” Pratt, “you can all make a difference”.

Also in attendance was Commodore Davy Rolle, Commander of the Bahamas Defence Force. He praised The Youth Empowerment & Skills and Training Institute for doing such an astonishing job and how essential it is for them to step forward and help mentor these young people.

We should always be reminded that God’s special gifts often come wrapped in difficult circumstances, and these young men are special gifts from God.

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EDITORIAL

‘Under da’ tree’

‘Under da’ tree’ some people are saying that the economy is weak and not improving and “somebody got to do something.” They say that the government has to help Eleutherans. That ‘we newspaper’ should be printed without Eleutherans taking ads – because we used to having it. They say that everybody and anybody that they can blame, is at fault. Except those talking ‘under the tree’, of course.

What do you say? The Eleuthera Advocate provides opportunities for Eleutherans near and far to voice their views and express themselves. Write articles, letters, and a column, create cartoons, purchase ads, submit photos, personal notices or provide information on up-coming events, activities or history in the making.

When is the last time you provided anything to ‘we paper’? If you haven’t why not start now?
‘Under da’ tree’ one would wonder if Eleutherans can’t say or do anything nice for another? We at The Sentinel know that just isn’t so, but the proof as they say is in the eating! So what can happen to unite Eleuthera? To stimulate new economic opportunities? To challenge leaders to think ‘other’ and not just ‘self’? Perhaps, in this season of harvest and thanksgiving we should be grateful for what we do have, and work even harder at unification of our communities so we can all achieve more. Isn’t it time we, as Eleutherans take action to build Eleuthera by supporting things good for Eleuthera?

In December’s Eleuthera Advocate you will have an unprecedented opportunity to express yourself. The entire issue will be published under the theme: Eleutheran’s Speak Out On The Future of Eleuthera. Submit your views to the Island Coordinator, publish your personal ads and Seasonal Greetings at special Christmas rates and get on board The Eleuthera Advocate s Christmas train.
“It only takes a spark, to get the fire glowing… let’s show The Bahamas the spirit that Eleutherans have been known for, since the first days of the Eleutheran Adventurers .

On behalf of all of us at The Eleuthera Advocate we extend you best wishes in this Thanksgiving and harvest season.

I first met Mr. Roy Cates in 1970. I was a young teenager at the time. I became acquainted with him in 1975, during the time that I began my work in Youth Ministry in South Eleuthera.
Mr. Cates possessed qualities that are rare in The Bahamas today. He was a man of few words; gentle and quiet. He performed his duties in his professional job, as a community leader and a leader in the Methodist Church in Rock Sound and throughout South Eleuthera. His record in church attendance, as teacher and Superintendent of the Sunday School and Lay Preacher in the Churches in Eleuthera portray a man of integrity, honour and consistency. He had the ability to see beyond the present moment or crisis and look toward a future time when matters would be sorted out.

People from the Rock Sound Community will remember this man for his ability to think well of everyone and his capacity to go into all areas of society and remain respected and retain his integrity. Many times he officiated at funeral services for persons from the community who lacked family representation or a church connection. His care and concern for the most part went unchallenged and certainly unnoticed by many. His acts of kindness were not public events; he lived simply and served the same way.
Roy Cates was one of those people who were plentiful a long time ago in The Bahamas. Many of these saintly souls have passed on to their reward and our Family Island communities suffer in their absence. For whatever reason, persons growing older in our communities in this twenty-first century do not measure up to the example of the ‘great ones’ of whom I write. There was something special about that generation of Bahamians.

They possessed a sense of high regard for all people regardless of their class, race or economic conditions; they were devoted to their family and were able to keep their own houses in order. They integrated well, their commitment to God with their commitment to fellow human beings. They were men and women who lived by principle and who counted it wrong to curry favour, misrepresent the truth or cheat in any way. They were people of peace and the lives they lived were no different to the sermons they preached.
Roy Cates was one of those people. A man who could hold his head high in every settlement in Eleuthera. A man who, when his earthly life ended, people from all walks of life added a heartfelt and thankful benediction to his life.