Administrators, faculty, support-staff, well-wishers and parents of Anatol Rodgers High School celebrated the successful performances of students during a special assembly in the school’s gymnasium on Tuesday, May 5th.

The event was held to recognize students for their endeavors in sports, academics, career and technical studies and competitions. The theme for the occasion was “Celebrating Quality Performance”.

The entire school body including the band, choir, drummers, flagettes and dance team paid tribute to the outstanding students.

Among those addressing the students was Minister of the Environment and Housing the Hon. Kenred Dorsett who saluted the achievers and said Anatol Rodgers is about “excellence” and continues to “make its better best.” He announced his intention to donate a bus to the school to assist with transportation for sporting activities.

School Principal Myrtle McPhee said in the face of all adversaries the school has come “a mighty long way” and remained committed to the task of providing quality education. 

In his keynote address, Daron Turnquest, Director of Youth in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, said the quality performers have arrived at this point because they have “applied themselves.” He urged the students who were not among the achievers to “stop, check and rethink” themselves.

“This is your opportunity to take your education to do better for yourself. You are not a product or your environment of your circumstances. You are a product of how you think about you. Change your mentality from someone must be doing something for you to the mentality that I must be doing something for myself,” he said.

Sharing his personal story of transition from high school to his present post as Director of Youth, he encouraged the schools to always remember that their struggle will one day pay off.

Highlighting the list of quality performers who received recognition were Vernajh Pinder, Ameera Poitier, Dezeraye Dean and Jeanie Farris, the winners of the 2015 American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute, International Hospitality and Tourism Management Competition. The students have received scholarships for Hospitality and Tourism Management to various universities.

In addition to the scholarships, the students also won an all-expense paid trip to New York City to attend the American Hotels and Lodging Association Fall Conference and the International Hotel, Motel & Restaurant Show, where they will have the opportunity to connect with some of the most influential leaders in the hospitality industry.