Freeport, Grand Bahama - Last week the Minister of Education, Science and Technology Jerome Fitzgerald traveled to local East End schools to tour the refurbishments and media center donated by Grand Bahama Shipyard. Students and staff at both East End Preschool and Primary School (formerly Freetown and High Rock) were delighted to greet the minister and other dignitaries who came to visit. Ed Pavey, director of technical and planning at Grand Bahama Shipyard, who along with his colleague Creighton Moxey and the shipyard apprentices helped coordinate the refurbishments and enhancements at the schools, organized the event.

"The accomplishments that we are celebrating today were made possible by the initiative of the Grand Bahama Shipyard along with the support of its many corporate partners, both local and international," said Pavey. He also noted that the fishing tournament had been the idea of Reuben Byrd, senior vice president of operations at GBS, who was unable to attend the event. "This year was the second annual Grand Bahama Shipyard Youth Benefit Fishing Tournament and the popularity and local support more than tripled from the first year," said Pavey.

"The intent of the annual tournament is to provide funding for various projects aimed at improving the education and livelihood of the youth here on Grand Bahama Island. This year the East End schools were chosen as the recipients." Fitzgerald toured East End Pre-school where he was treated to a song and video slide show from the preschool students and a review of the new lunch tables, water coolers, cubby storage center and the major refurbishments to the playground area.

He then traveled to East End Primary in High Rock and had a FaceTime live conference call with Ms. Chambers, of St. Bonaventure College, New York, in the new media center. Chambers, along with her colleague Sophia Rahming in the Ministry of Education, explained the work that had been done at East End Primary media center via the 21st Century Project.

Together with 21st Century, the shipyard donated four smart boards, four desktop computers, document scanners, iPads, a wireless tablet, Kindles, five water coolers, picnic tables, exterior paint, and playground and basketball court refurbishments. "You have merged the elements of generosity, altruism and volunteerism to bring about positive changes in the lives of the children of this community," said Fitzgerald. CEO and Chairman of the yard Carl Rotkirch, who was on hand for the day's events, was pleased with his company's efforts. "It's been a wonderful tour of the school's enhanced facilities and I am so pleased with what Ed Pavey and the apprentices have been able to accomplish," he said.

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