The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation held its annual awards ceremony and announcement of the 2023 top student, June 10, at Evangelistic Temple -- proclaiming Matteo G. Davies of Bishop Michael Eldon School of Freeport, the winner.  He is awarded the Rev/Cable Bahamas $7,000 Scholarship

Scores of parents were in attendance to cheer on their children as they received top awards for best and brightest in their schools.  In attendance were 126 students encompassing various public and private schools throughout the Bahama Islands.

Spearheading the Award Ceremony was Mr. Ricardo Deveaux, CEO of the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation in Partnership with the Nassau, Bahamas Pan-Hellenic Council which encompasses nine fraternities and sororities (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., & Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.). 

Delivering key-note remarks was Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin; and also Permanent Secretary Mrs Lorraine Symonette-Armbrister; along with other government officials. 

Students received scholarships, according to level of achievement.  

The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation held its annual awards ceremony and announcement of the 2023 top student, June 10, at Evangelistic Temple -- proclaiming Matteo G. Davies of Bishop Michael Eldon School of Freeport, the winner.  He is awarded the Rev/Cable Bahamas $7,000 Scholarship Scores of parents were in attendance to cheer on their children as they received top awards for best and brightest in their schools.  In attendance were 126 students encompassing various public and private schools throughout the Bahama Islands. Spearheading the Award Ceremony was Mr. Ricardo Deveaux, CEO of the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation in Partnership with the Nassau, Bahamas Pan-Hellenic Council which encompasses nine fraternities and sororities (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., & Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.).  Delivering key-note remarks was Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin; and also Permanent Secretary Mrs Lorraine Symonette-Armbrister; along with other government officials.  Students received scholarships, according to level of achievement.  

Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Cornelius A. Smith welcomed Grade 6 students of Sunland Baptist Academy, Freeport, Grand Bahama, in a courtesy call at the Office of the Governor General on Thursday, June 8, 2023. 

Adult learners, employees of the institution, two-time degree earners and students with special needs who epitomize resilience were awarded their degrees and diplomas at the University of The Bahamas’ (UB’s) Spring 2023 Commencement Ceremony held on Thursday 25th May at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

The 2023 Commencement Class comprised 583 persons from nine academic units who were challenged to look within to maximize their impact and achieve success.

“Graduates, today is just a celebration unless you lean into your life and lead with impact,” said Commencement Speaker Lars Minns. “This nation’s next 50 years will be just another 50 unless this class, the University of The Bahamas’ Class of 2023, leads us into our next era. Based on the many Bahamians that have built this incredible nation, I have no doubt that you will be equal to the challenge.”

Among the nuggets of advice Minns, a 1995 graduate and Chief Human Resources Officer at Mercedes-Benz North America, gave the graduates was success is achieved by the person you become and that those with whom you associate matter.

“People are constantly influencing you.  When I was younger, I had no idea the sheer impact of this concept, and frankly, it is perhaps the strongest gravitational pull that we never really see or feel.  You have to be very circumspect and diligent to ensure that those influences surrounding you on a daily basis, are ones of virtue and that they reflect the outcomes that you envisage for yourself,” he said.

The Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium was filled with thousands of cheering parents, guardians, faculty, staff, students, and other supporters. Prime Minister Hon. Philip Davis and Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin also attended the ceremony which culminated five official events held in New Providence.

In her message, Chair of the UB Board of Trustees Allyson Maynard Gibson KC reflected on the theme of “Developing Resilience Within Ourselves”.

“In pressing through unpredictable and unprecedented adversities, a horrific hurricane and a pandemic, you survived and thrived. You represent the indomitable Bahamian spirit. And as well as having an indomitable spirit, you are dreamers, risk takers, disruptive thinkers, leaders, creative geniuses, and problem solvers and innovators.

“Today, you are fulfilling your dream and those of our forefathers who knew the transformative power of education. When you get your degree, see it as a tool to take you into the next 50 years, towards climate change solutions, coding—not cursive writing, artificial intelligence, and other frontiers that are yet unknown,” she said.

Addressing his first commencement ceremony since serving as President, Dr. Erik Rolland congratulated to new grads and expressed his confidence in them.

“Today, you stand as testaments to your resilience, your drive, and your strong character. The theme that you chose, “Building Resilience Within Ourselves” tells this to the country and the world. Your graduation also comes at an important time in Bahamian history, as the nation celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Bahamian Independence. Moments like these encourage us to celebrate double, but they also force us to be reflective,” he said.

A proud President’s Award recipient Alexandria St. Albord, who earned in BA in Psychology with a Minor in Spanish with distinction, delivered the class reflection message. She said the challenges paled in comparison to the joys of university life.

“To my fellow graduates as we leave this graduation ceremony and enter the working world with big hopes and dreams, some of us are excited, others of us are scared and anxious, or maybe even a mixture of both. I encourage you to lean on God to establish our steps in life,” she said.

The vast majority of grads in the 2023 Commencement Class hailed from the Business, Education and Nursing schools at UB. The university is also scheduled to host commencement events in Grand Bahama for the UB-North campus including a baccalaureate service, a combined teachers commissioning and awards ceremony, and commencement ceremony.

Adult learners, employees of the institution, two-time degree earners and students with special needs who epitomize resilience were awarded their degrees and diplomas at the University of The Bahamas’ (UB’s) Spring 2023 Commencement Ceremony held on Thursday 25th May at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. The 2023 Commencement Class comprised 583 persons from nine academic units who were challenged to look within to maximize their impact and achieve success. “Graduates, today is just a celebration unless you lean into your life and lead with impact,” said Commencement Speaker Lars Minns. “This nation’s next 50 years will be just another 50 unless this class, the University of The Bahamas’ Class of 2023, leads us into our next era. Based on the many Bahamians that have built this incredible nation, I have no doubt that you will be equal to the challenge.” Among the nuggets of advice Minns, a 1995 graduate and Chief Human Resources Officer at Mercedes-Benz North America, gave the graduates was success is achieved by the person you become and that those with whom you associate matter. “People are constantly influencing you.  When I was younger, I had no idea the sheer impact of this concept, and frankly, it is perhaps the strongest gravitational pull that we never really see or feel.  You have to be very circumspect and diligent to ensure that those influences surrounding you on a daily basis, are ones of virtue and that they reflect the outcomes that you envisage for yourself,” he said. The Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium was filled with thousands of cheering parents, guardians, faculty, staff, students, and other supporters. Prime Minister Hon. Philip Davis and Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin also attended the ceremony which culminated five official events held in New Providence. In her message, Chair of the UB Board of Trustees Allyson Maynard Gibson KC reflected on the theme of “Developing Resilience Within Ourselves”. “In pressing through unpredictable and unprecedented adversities, a horrific hurricane and a pandemic, you survived and thrived. You represent the indomitable Bahamian spirit. And as well as having an indomitable spirit, you are dreamers, risk takers, disruptive thinkers, leaders, creative geniuses, and problem solvers and innovators. “Today, you are fulfilling your dream and those of our forefathers who knew the transformative power of education. When you get your degree, see it as a tool to take you into the next 50 years, towards climate change solutions, coding—not cursive writing, artificial intelligence, and other frontiers that are yet unknown,” she said. Addressing his first commencement ceremony since serving as President, Dr. Erik Rolland congratulated to new grads and expressed his confidence in them. “Today, you stand as testaments to your resilience, your drive, and your strong character. The theme that you chose, “Building Resilience Within Ourselves” tells this to the country and the world. Your graduation also comes at an important time in Bahamian history, as the nation celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Bahamian Independence. Moments like these encourage us to celebrate double, but they also force us to be reflective,” he said. A proud President’s Award recipient Alexandria St. Albord, who earned in BA in Psychology with a Minor in Spanish with distinction, delivered the class reflection message. She said the challenges paled in comparison to the joys of university life. “To my fellow graduates as we leave this graduation ceremony and enter the working world with big hopes and dreams, some of us are excited, others of us are scared and anxious, or maybe even a mixture of both. I encourage you to lean on God to establish our steps in life,” she said. The vast majority of grads in the 2023 Commencement Class hailed from the Business, Education and Nursing schools at UB. The university is also scheduled to host commencement events in Grand Bahama for the UB-North campus including a baccalaureate service, a combined teachers commissioning and awards ceremony, and commencement ceremony.

Students representing all schools in Grand Bahama got in on the 50th anniversary of Independence on Wednesday, May 24 with a march and rally, from the Ministry for Grand Bahama to Open Park in downtown Freeport.

Accompanied by the marching bands of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, hundreds of students arrived at the rally site excited to participate in the scheduled festivities.

The event was held under the theme, “A Golden Jubilee Spectacular Parade and Rally” and was filled with performances by the students doing a poem including representatives from all schools on the island covering every major island.
 The Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training, the Hon. Zane Lightbourne, got the students involved by having them wave their flags and yell “Bahamas” whenever he said “242”.

The participation of the students in the march and rally, said Minister Lightbourne, proves that “we are doing something right. No matter what is said, this is still the greatest little country anywhere on this planet.”

He said he was proud to be Bahamian just being at the rally seeing hundreds of students waving their flags. “I am proud.”

“Parents, you continue to be involved in our students lives because the formula for their success and the success of our educational system lie within our young people having parents and teachers work together to make them great and to maximize their potential.”

Minister Lightbourne pointed out that The Bahamas is doing exceptionally well internationally when compared to other countries per capita. The islands and people make the country recognized around the world as a beautiful place. It has the best food, best athletes.

In closing, he urged the students to be “all that you can be and be the kind of leader that can take our country to the next level.”

The Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force then performed for the students, taking the opportunity to engage the students encouraging them to dance with them.  Following the rally, students were treated to lunch from KFC, Wendy’s and Marco’s Pizza, courtesy of the Grand Bahama Port Authority.

Students representing all schools in Grand Bahama got in on the 50th anniversary of Independence on Wednesday, May 24 with a march and rally, from the Ministry for Grand Bahama to Open Park in downtown Freeport. Accompanied by the marching bands of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, hundreds of students arrived at the rally site excited to participate in the scheduled festivities. The event was held under the theme, “A Golden Jubilee Spectacular Parade and Rally” and was filled with performances by the students doing a poem including representatives from all schools on the island covering every major island.   The Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training, the Hon. Zane Lightbourne, got the students involved by having them wave their flags and yell “Bahamas” whenever he said “242”. The participation of the students in the march and rally, said Minister Lightbourne, proves that “we are doing something right. No matter what is said, this is still the greatest little country anywhere on this planet.” He said he was proud to be Bahamian just being at the rally seeing hundreds of students waving their flags. “I am proud.” “Parents, you continue to be involved in our students lives because the formula for their success and the success of our educational system lie within our young people having parents and teachers work together to make them great and to maximize their potential.” Minister Lightbourne pointed out that The Bahamas is doing exceptionally well internationally when compared to other countries per capita. The islands and people make the country recognized around the world as a beautiful place. It has the best food, best athletes. In closing, he urged the students to be “all that you can be and be the kind of leader that can take our country to the next level.” The Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force then performed for the students, taking the opportunity to engage the students encouraging them to dance with them.  Following the rally, students were treated to lunch from KFC, Wendy’s and Marco’s Pizza, courtesy of the Grand Bahama Port Authority.