Good morning,
What a wonderful and momentous day this is! It is truly a joy to be here with you, the Graduating Class of 2025, as you celebrate this significant milestone in your life’s journey. I congratulate each and every one of you. Thank you for allowing me to share in this special occasion, for I am always heartened by opportunities to interact with young people who are on the threshold of a new and exciting phase of life. I am especially happy today, because I am here with you in San Fernando – which, as you know, has a special place in my heart.
My dear Graduands, each of you stands here today as a result of years of hard work, dedication and preparation. Each of you has had to make important decisions and sacrifices along the way. Each of you embodies that old saying, ‘anything worth having is worth working hard for.’ And now, here you are, ready to step forward into a world of endless possibilities. I join your families, teachers and the entire Modsec community in saying, ‘Congratulations, and well done!’
I would also like to congratulate your school for its selection of this year’s graduation theme: Inspire, Innovate, Imagine- A world of endless possibilities. What an uplifting and appropriate theme. It is a theme that is both forward-looking and reflective. It is a theme that calls for embracing the future with both optimism and careful consideration.
A theme like this one is especially meaningful now, because you, both Forms 5 and 6, are standing at a pivotal juncture in your lives. Change is coming, and not in small ways. Some of you will continue your studies, while others will step head-on into the world of work. Still others may take paths not yet imagined. But regardless of the direction, one thing is certain – change is imminent. And whenever change is near, a hopeful, future-focused mindset is absolutely essential.
It is essential because, truth be told, stepping into the realm of the unknown can be quite daunting, even terrifying. I have certainly faced such moments in my own life. And when those moments came, I was immensely grateful for the people around me who pointed my thoughts in a more hopeful and positive direction.
That is why I am thankful for your teachers and school leadership for painting the picture of a future that is bright, optimistic, full of possibilities and worth pursuing. In so doing, they have given you one of the greatest gifts any young person can receive, which is the confident belief that your future is both bright and worth investing in.
Another reason that I find your theme to be significant is that it pushes back against the unsettling narratives that too often surround our youth today. Far too often, society is quick to tar young people with the same narrow, negative brush, focussing on the mistakes and bad behaviour of a few, rather than the achievements and potential of the many. We see, far too frequently, a tendency to criticise rather than uplift, to tear down rather than build up. We live in an age where social media ‘keyboard warriors’ feel empowered to amplify negativity, spreading harsh judgment and criticism.
And if we are not vigilant, that kind of cynicism can creep into our collective spirit. We begin to expect less and start saying things like, “Trinidad is not a real place,” a phrase meant as a joke, but one that perhaps provides a window into a more troubling truth – that we have grown far too comfortable believing the worst about ourselves and our nation.
And that is a real pity, because Trinidad and Tobago is very mucha real place. We have our challenges, no one can deny that. We have all heard the recent reports of drug use in schools, sharp increases in school suspensions and disturbing videos of student fights circulating on social media. However, Trinidad and Tobago is also brimming with examples of industriousness, excellence and creativity. And no one represents that potential more powerfully than you, our young people.
Take, for instance, Joshua Regrello, who recently earned a place in the Guiness Book of World Records for the longest solo steelpan performance. Or Khemraj Rampersad, a 29-year-old I recently read about who, despite the demands of his own life, rises every day at 4 a.m. to care for his ailing mother. And what about your very own Genesis Pereira, Lakisha Maynard, Samantha Singh, and Jabari Vialva, 2024 champions of the Make Your Point debate competition, and of course, proud ambassadors of San Fernando Central Secondary School?
These are the stories that should be amplified. These are the stories that remind us of what is possible, and that can breathe hope and light into a sometimes disheartened and weary nation. That is why I treasure occasions like this one. They give me the opportunity to meet and speak with young people and hear about their aspirations, goals and vision for a better world. You are my living reminders that even in the midst of grim headlines and moments of uncertainty, there is still much reason to hope. You represent a generation well-equipped to shape our future through inspiration, innovation and imagination.
And so, I am especially grateful for your graduation theme, because it redirects our attention away from the noise and the negativity, and back to where it belongs, which is toward the future, hope and the promise of something better. It serves as a powerful reminder to approach what lies ahead not with fear and cynicism, but with confidence and optimism.
And that mindset is important. Because even when you are hopeful, there will still be obstacles and challenges. There will be times when you feel overwhelmed or frustrated. You may hear many voices from both within and around you that question your ability and likelihood of success.
I have had my share of experiences of rising above trials, negativity and derision. I have stood in spaces where people underestimated me or where I was made to feel as though I did not belong. I have been challenged directly about my capabilities and probability of succeeding.
I would not be where I am today had I allowed those tides of negativity to sweep me away or to change my perception of who I know I am and of what I know I am capable of. I would not be where I am if I did not challenge those opinions and rise above them.
And so, I encourage you to stand firm against disparaging voices and opinions. Remain true to the values that have been nurtured within you and see yourselves as being capable, as deserving of a seat at every table and as being filled with purpose and promise. Remember who you are and reject the lies that say otherwise.
And remember, as you stand against negativity, make sure you also stand for something. Stand for justice, kindness and integrity. Be the person who chooses to inspire and uplift others and lead by example. Be the one who, instead of accepting or throwing your hands up in the air when faced with challenges, finds innovative and creative ways to overcome them. And imagine new paths and fresh possibilities for yourselves, your school, your families and your nation. Sometimes, this will mean being unpopular. Sometimes, it will mean standing alone. But I pray that you will have the moxie and the mettle to do so anyway.
I was pleased to read this beautiful reflection by your Head Girl, Annelyn Lewis, “To be a Modsecian means to strive with purpose in all that I do, to be steadfast in my endeavours, to stay committed and determined in every pursuit, whether it be academic, extra-curricular or spiritual. It’s a mindset I carry beyond school as Modsec equips me with strength and values I need for life.”
How powerful, and how true. That mindset of purpose, resilience, optimism and determination is exactly what will propel you into the world of endless possibilities that awaits you.
My hope and my prayer for you therefore, is that you will not grow frustrated or lose sight of who you are as you journey forward. My hope and my prayer are that you will remain faithful to the ideal expressed in your Head Girl’s reflection and in your school’s motto: Tenax Propositi—Be steadfast in your endeavours. It is my belief that that attitude and mindset will form part of the transformation our society so desperately needs.
And so Modsecians, as you prepare to take your next steps into a bright and glorious future, I congratulate you once again. I take the opportunity to express my appreciation to your parents and guardians, who have sacrificed and supported you every step of the way. I also thank your teachers, who have invested their time, efforts and care into the 148 graduates who stand before us today.
As you set off on an exhilarating new journey, I promise you, in the words of author C.S. Lewis, “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
My dear graduands, I wish you every success, every joy and every blessing as you embrace the future with inspiration, innovation and imagination.
Thank you.
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