Scholastic and sporting achievement by students from Tabernacle Baptist Academy were applauded by Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Michael Pintard, during the school’s awards ceremony, June 8, 2017.
The Tabernacle Falcons closed out its school year on a high note, racking up a series of sporting awards, including that of National High School Basketball Champions. They were also crowned Senior Boys Basketball GBSSSAA Tip Off Classic Champions and High School Champions. Tabernacle also performed well in this year’s track and field championships and senior girls’
“Don’t get tired of these moments of achievements and accomplishments,” said Minister Pintard, who has personally attended a number of smaller awards ceremony at the school over the past few months.
“But let me tell you that when you live long enough, you will discover that you will have some incredibly tough moments. In university, in work and in life you will have some lonely moments and you will find yourself with some experiences where you would feel like giving up because of some things that will take place in your life.
“That’s why I encourage you not to get tired of these mountain top moments, when you are being celebrated because of your accomplishments. Relish these moments, but take away from them the lessons you will need to help you through the difficult times that will inevitably come along.”
The Youth Minister reminded the student-athletes that the country is depending on them to bring about the changes that will be needed in The Bahamas, as the country progresses forward and as the patriarchs of yesterday move off the scene.
“Our future, the future of this country is in your hands, and we’re counting on you,” said Minister Pintard.
Echoing the sentiments of the Youth Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Peter Turnquest pointed out that the majority of the award recipients were young men, something he said, was alone worth celebrating.
Noting that the country was losing too many of its boys and young men to violence and crime, Minister Turnquest congratulated the young men at Tabernacle not only for their athletic prowess, but also for their academic achievements.
“It is refreshing to see you men focus your energies, commitment and discipline into productive pursuits that will help you in the future that’s ahead of you,” said Minister Turnquest.
“Life is not easy, it’s a challenge and you will come up against many disappointments, and you will have those same feelings of disappointment you experienced throughout the year in some of the games you’ve played, when things didn’t always work out.
“But as you would have learned, the trick to it all and to overcoming, is discipline, practice, perseverance, getting up and moving ahead.”
Minister Turnquest told the athletes and the coaches that Tabernacle Baptist Academy has made Grand Bahama proud when it came to athletics throughout the country and for this, he stands as a proud constituency representative in Grand Bahama, a well as a proud Cabinet Minister of The Bahamas, whose roots are in Grand Bahama.
“As long as you are faithful, disciplined and productive about your goals, you will have more moments like these as you pursue your university and college degrees and as you settle into your respective careers,” said Minister Turnquest.
By Andrew Coakley
