Students graduate from Salvation Army School for the Blind

Wed, Jun 10th 2015, 09:35 AM

The Salvation Army's Erin H. Gilmour School for Blind and Visually Impaired Children achieved a significant feat on Monday, June 8, when the school held its first graduation exercise in five years.

Parents, family members, teachers and school administrators beamed with pride as they witnessed Ashanity Armbrister, Madhiba Bethel, Deangelo Harris, and Christian Heild receive their diplomas and gifts. Also in attendance were Prime Minister Perry Christie, Allyson Maynard-Gibson, attorney general and minister of legal affairs; Joel Lewis, acting deputy director of education; Ernesto Soberon Guzman, ambassador of the Republic of Cuba, and Major Lester Ferguson, divisional commander of The Salvation Army.

The ceremony was held at The Salvation Army Nassau Citadel Church on Mackey Street. The theme for the event was "Education is a journey, not a destination". The students enthralled the audience with their performances and selections.

Outlining several points in her remarks, the attorney general urged the graduates to continue to "push the envelope" and advised them that their education will train them how to use the information gained to change the world. She told them to savor the excitement of their graduation day and carry it for the rest of their lives to remind them that they can achieve their dreams. The attorney general also appealed to the students to develop their spiritual lives.

"Take time to pray and read the Bible. Prayer makes a big difference," she said. Lewis told the graduates that gaining new knowledge is an "exhilarating" and "rewarding" experience that enhances lives.

"When you embark on a journey, there are things that you must do in order to make the journey a successful one," he said.

He applauded the parents of the graduates for their sacrifices and time and encouraged them to continue to support the graduates as they venture out into the world. Lewis also acknowledged the teachers and urged them to continue to work in unison to assist in developing quality learners.

Christie singled out the attorney general for employing Abbie Daxon, a former student of the Erin Gilmour School, at the Office of the Attorney General. He said no child should be left out or depend on chance to make it. Like every citizen, he said they are entitled to their rights.

Christie congratulated the students for having achieved the "unimaginable". "Do not let your future be determined by your circumstances," he said.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

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