Acting Governor Anya Williams attended the 2013 graduation exercise of the HJ Robinson High School on Grand Turk.
She also attended their thanksgiving service on Sunday. In her address to the students, Mrs. Williams said:
“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate you the 2013 Graduating Class of the HJ Robinson High School.
“When you walk out of these doors tonight you will no longer be high school students, but will instead be considered to be young men and women. This will come with great opportunities, but also great responsibilities.
“Decision making in most instances will now be left to you; as your parents over the years would have helped you to groom you into the mature young men and women I see before me today, but you must never forget the principles that your parents, teachers, preachers, relatives or even in some cases friends would have taught you. These principles will help to guide you throughout life and will ensure that you do what you ought to do.
“This ceremony marks a major accomplishment in your life, but it is only the beginning, as your road to success has not been completed and in many instances has only just begun.
“Your time in high school could be considered as a tumultuous one. You see I can vividly remember that 5 years ago, your first school term was significantly delayed by the visits of Hanna and Ike, which not only took with them many of your homes and prized possessions, but also devastated your school and reshaped your expectations of what your high school experience would be like.
“I’m sure many of you loved the fact that school for most of you did not begin until October that year, but hated the fact that many of your classrooms and homes were still without power and many other basic necessities.
“It took your school many years to recover, with much more work still to be done, but despite the lack of infrastructure and other key resources, both students and teachers still persevered. That perseverance allowed you to be here today and to remain focused despite the many challenges.
“You must take that same perseverance that you have held onto over the past 5 years, with you throughout the remainder of your life and know that no matter how your circumstances may change or whatever obstacles may come your way, you must always remain resolute and determined to accomplish your goals.
“Today is only the beginning for you; where you go from here is left to you, but I ask that you order your footsteps in a way that will allow you to make a positive mark in society and in this our Beautiful By Nature Turks and Caicos Islands.
“Once again I congratulate you and look forward to hearing great things from each and every one of you going forward.”
