The Sir Arthur Lewis Community College celebrated the great success of its inaugural Virtual Graduation Ceremony, held on Sunday, January 31st, 2021. Top performers from each Division, received the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College Award for Excellence, awarded to students who performed with distinction.
For the first time, students who had already moved on to universities abroad, including as far as Taiwan, were able to participate in the virtual graduation ceremony and have expressed their high commendations and gratitude for allowing them the opportunity to be a part of this well-produced ceremony to celebrate their achievements.
Messages were delivered by the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, the Minister for Education, and the Principal of the College, under the theme Rewarding Resilience: Pivoting through the Adversities of 2020.
The Guest Speaker, Mr. Jonathan Johannes, Managing Director of 1st National Bank, presented a riveting speech on the same theme. The Chairperson of the Board highlighted new initiatives of the College, in particular the Gateways to Global Careers which is open to students, alumni and the general public. Graduates were honoured by celebrity guests including Teddyson John, Daren Sammy, Trinidadian artist, Voice, and many other influencers and celebrities both during the ceremony and via social media.
For the first time ever, the immediate past Valedictorian, was given the esteemed privilege to co-host the Graduation Ceremony; Mr. Rahym Augustin-Joseph supported this year's host, Mrs. Tracy Pilgrim-George, Language Lecturer at the College.
A highly symbolic tradition has therefore been created; Rahym's baton has been passed on into the capable hands of Miss Christa St. Ange, who was selected by her peers as Valedictorian of the Class of 2020.
Christa highlighted various experiences and left her colleagues with inspiring and appropriate messages, including the need to practice growing resilience and endurance with every setback faced and the importance of adopting the necessary boldness to achieve even the most absurd of dreams. Christa's valedictorian speech can be viewed here.
The College through the support of its valued sponsors was able to reward the Class of 2020 with amazing prize giveaways, in keeping with the theme of rewarding resilience. These included spa and jewelry vouchers, statement fashion pieces, a professional photo shoot, and high-end mobile handsets.
The College wishes to thank its valued sponsors and the public for celebrating with the Class of 2020. The ceremony can be found on SALCC's YouTube Channel and Facebook Page.
