NASSAU, The Bahamas – Achievements of top performers in the Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) and Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) examinations were recognized at the annual National Awards Ceremony of the Examination and Assessment Division of the Ministry of Education, February 3, 2020 at Church of God Convention Centre.

The theme of the ceremony was ‘Rewarding Excellence in National Examinations.’  Among the highlights:

Isha Raman, a student of Queen’s College, received the Paul L. Adderley Award for Best BGCSE Overall Performance (10A’s 1B) in the 2019 BGCSE Examinations in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas; and also the Carol Hanna Award for Best Overall Performance for independent schools.

Carmetta Barry, a graduate of C.R. Walker Senior High School, was awarded the Marjorie Davis Award for Best Overall Performance in the 2019 BGCSE Examinations (8As, 2Bs, 2Cs) for government schools.

Arianne Doucet, a former student of Forest Heights Academy, Abaco, was named the candidate with Overall Best BJC results (10As, 1B) in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and the independent school candidate with the Overall Best BJC results in 2019.

Sierra Turnquest, a student of N.G.M. Major High School, Long Island, was recognized as the government school candidate with the Best Overall BJC results in 2019 (9As, 1B).

Rio Greene, a former student of H.O. Nash Junior High School, was named the government school male candidate with the Best BJC overall results in 2019 in New Providence (8As, 2Bs).

Candidates who received more than 5 A’s in BJC subjects more than doubled the 2018 results.

Special recognition to Forest Heights, Abaco; East End, Grand Bahama; NGM Major High School, Long Island; New Providence schools of CR Walker Senior High School, Queen’s College, and St. Augustine’s College for outstanding examination results.

The Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd, Minister of Education, led the list of dignitaries at the ceremony. Lorraine Armbrister, Permanent Secretary; Marcellus Taylor, Director of Education; and Serethea Clarke, Under Secretary were also in attendance along with parents, teachers, sponsors, school administrators; family members and well-wishers.  Doris Johnson Senior High School Band and the Erin H. Gilmour School for the Blind provided entertainment.

In his address, Minister Lloyd admonished the students to stay on track and  avoid distractions that could derail their pursuit of excellence.

“Be selective in who you surround yourself with,” he said. “There are toxic, gossiping, complaining, bad attitude, negative-minded people in the world who will infect your mind and poison your emotions and souls.  They are loaded with challenges and problems, and before you know it you are spending your energy on other people’s problems, and you don’t have time and energy for yourself.

“Go to the keyboard of your mind and press ‘cancel’ and delete them out of your life. Don’t let people pull you down so that they can build themselves up.”

Minister Lloyd advised the students to watch the words that fall from your lips because life and death are in the power of the tongue.

He warned them to be cautious of what they put behind the words ... I am ... and urged them to speak life, possibilities, potential and victory over their lives.

“Let no one brain wash you into believing less of yourself. Your life is your choice: you are the co-creator of your reality.  Live it with pride, honesty, excellence and empowerment.  Excellence must be your constant pursuit,” said Minister Lloyd.

He acknowledged the leadership team of MOE including Mrs. Armbrister and Mr. Taylor for their outstanding leadership in forging a new paradigm of educational excellence in the country.

He thanked Mrs. Elma Garraway for her contribution as Chairperson of the National Educational Advisory Council, and Evelyn Sawyer, Assistant Director, Testing and Evaluation Department, and her team for the day’s celebrations.

He expressed appreciation to the many teachers, facilitators, administrators who work tirelessly to ensure that students produce optimum results to make the Commonwealth a globally competitive nation, and who go beyond the call of duty to assist students in reaching their highest potential.

Moreover, Minister Lloyd thanked parents, family members and neighbors for their continued work and support of young people.

“They need you to be there for them even when they don’t understand why we make the demands that we do.  One day they will come to appreciate and respect the work we do,” he said.