Chekube Okereke, Valedictorian
Fifty-four (54) students graduated from the MSS on Wednesday, July 2, 2014. The speech day exercise featured the class of 2014 under the theme, “It’s your time – Rise to the Challenge”.
The event began with a March-past and procession of graduands following the introduction of Chairperson Thandie Williams.
Valedictorian: another St. Augustine student breaks the five-year female domination
A male student is this year’s Montserrat Secondary School (MSS) Valedictorian. Chekube Okereke broke the five-year trend of females being named the top student for the Secondary Institution. In his address to the audience, Okereke spoke about the jour
ney through secondary school and through the speech writing process. He expressed gratitude to his mother for her support throughout the years.
He continued his speech by using a story to encourage his peers to dream big and rise above the snap judgments that many have made about them. The last male Valedictorian was Jordon Taylor back in 2008.
Teacher Cleo Cassell announcing graduands
During the Graduation Exercise the Principal, Cherlyn Hogan, in her report, noted there was a closing of the gender performance gap with a pass rate of 74% for boys and 75% for girls in 2013— Okereke’s accomplishment was a clear indication of this.
MSS Cadets on parade
The 2009 to 2013 Valedictorians were Cindy Lewis, Karishma Dhera, Pooja Valecha, Tiffanie Skerrit and Nadia Brown. Probably not by coincidence, Okereke and the other Valedictorians were all former graduates of the St. Augustine School.
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Oris Sullivan who stressed the importance of parents grooming their children.
Throughout the ceremony the National Choir, Sharline Gibbons and other students provided entertainment. The principal presented the 54 students with certificates while several awards were given to students including Cadet of the year – Daniel Romeo, and the Jermaine Wade Emerging Leadership Award – Dwanifa Joseph.
The event was dubbed by many as the best MSS graduation ceremony they’ve attended in years. The events of the previous day notwithstanding, where a few graduands were initially denied participation in the last term Assembly at the cultural centre.
Details of the controversial event are sketchy, but some of the girls are seen in the photo here outside of the Cultural Centre grounds.
