Members of the 2018 graduating class of Queen’s College have been given some timely and sound advice as they embark on a new phase in their lives.
Delivering the feature address at the school’s graduation ceremony last evening at its Husbands, St James campus, former student and teacher Maldon Goodridge encouraged the 141 graduates to be “risk takers, visionaries, change agents and world shapers”.
Of the things Goodridge stressed was that they be men and women of character and seek to make changes here in Barbados.
“It is your responsibility to lead morally, intellectually and ethically. Let your light, the one you have been carrying, shine in all spheres in which you are present, not only because you carry the name Queen’s College, but because you have been trained to be men and women of character . . . we see the state of Barbados as it suffers economically, socially and some might say morally. It cannot be business as usual anymore. We need change. Class of 2018, you are expected to lead that change,” Goodridge said.
He also reminded the young men and women that they were entitled to nothing, but responsible for much.
Speaking under the theme The Road Ahead, Goodridge further urged the students not to be limited by their imagination.
“As you embark on your university education, and build your careers, take grasp of every opportunity presented to you. Embrace the unexpected detours from your planned journey . . . push beyond your self-imposed limitations to see the limitless potential that truly exists for your lives and carve a journey beyond even what you can conceive,” he added.
Goodridge also pleaded with the students not to settle for failure or success.
“Understand the successes and failures are temporary moments on each journey. Successes are really temporary triumphs and failures are momentary setbacks [and] setbacks are really transitory inconveniences. Success is not final and failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts,” he added.
Among those graduating was former Prime Minister Owen Arthur’s daughter and head girl Leah Arthur, who in delivering the vote of thanks with head boy Zion Maynard, reminded their classmates that graduation was not the end, but the start of a new and exciting journey. (DB)
