Dignitaries and Olympic guests alike stressed perseverance and hard work as key tools for excelling in life at the 9th Road Runners Track and Field Club Banquet, held in honor of Grand Bahamians Basil and Paula Neymour at the Wyndham Resort on Saturday night. Also in attendance were the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Desmond Bannister; the Minister of State for Public Utilities, Phenton Neymour, multi Olympic medalist Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie and the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) interim president, Curt Hollingsworth. The honorees were showered with praise by guest speakers Bannister, Ferguson-McKenzie, Hollingsworth and their son, Minister Neymour. Bannister emphasized commitment to excellence. "Only you determine where you want to go in life," Bannister told the youth athletes in attendance. "In doing so you must remember three things. You must have heart, take action and continue to climb towards your goals despite all obstacles. "Furthermore, it should be noted that for many years the Neymour family has been the first family of track and field in The Bahamas. They have provided financial assistance and emotional support for many athletes and their families, sponsored national and international events and attended international events in support of national teams. They are true patriots who are deserving of this recognition." Minister Neymour reminisced on the days when the Neymour family was less fortunate than they are today. He said: "By the age of eight my father was an orphan. However, he worked hard at an early age and learned trades as a heavy equipment operator and then a contractor. Nonetheless, he still found time to teach me key rules in life at an early age that I still apply to this day. "The first rule is share everything, play fair, don't hit people, put things back where you find them, clean up your own mess, don't take things that aren't yours, say sorry, take naps, always stick together, love and do unto others as you would have them do unto you." The honoree, Basil Neymour, when giving his acceptance speech acknowledged the key rules he taught his children. He told the parents on hand that it may be difficult to implement those key rules into their daily lives but in the end it would be worthwhile. Basil Neymour also expressed pride for his son's achievements and thanked his wife for her support and the club for recognizing him. Road Runners' president Dexter Bodie was satisfied with the turnout and support. Bodie said: "It gives me great pleasure to extend congratulations to the fine athletes of our great organization for their outstanding performance during the 2008 track and field season. Special thanks are extended to Sports Minister the honorable Desmond Bannister, the BAAA and we also pay tribute to Mr. Basil and Paula Neymour for their invaluable contribution. "Furthermore, I am proud to be a part of a promising team that is committed to instilling cardinal values through track and field and other healthy activities." Those making up that promising team include 1st Vice President - Janice Hoyte, 2nd Vice President - Sandra Butler, secretary - Ann Thompson, assistant secretary - Sueann Bethel, fund raising officer - Gayle Branon, hospitality/trip coordinator - Letica Deveaux, assistant coaches - Bernard Rolle and Patrick Adderley and club photographer - Esther Miller. Awards that were presented were the Dominique Higgins Award, the Shawn Lockhart Award, Athlete of the Year, Most Outstanding Award, Most Improved Athlete and Academic/Honor Roll Award. Higgins is a former club member who excelled in academics. He is remembered for passing all of his Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) examinations with A's. Furthermore, Higgins was able to maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 4.0 from primary school through high school. After graduating from Prince Williams High School in 2000, he began tertiary education at Stanford University where he studied medicine. Higgins also achieved similar success on the track. In order to be eligible for this award, club members must maintain a 4.0 GPA. The most outstanding award went to club members who performed well year round in academics and athletics. This award was also reserved for club members who attended all of the meets held in the USA, Grand Bahama and New Providence. This award was given to those in the under nine, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 20 divisions. The Lockhart award is reserved for club members who are named to national teams. Lockhart, a current club member and Nassau Christian Academy senior, is expected to attend Alabama University in January on a full athletic scholarship. Since 2006, Lockhart has made several national teams and performed at a high level. After the banquet Lockhart, who won the open male athlete of the year award, told The Nassau Guardian: "It was a pleasure to have an award named in my honor and it was as a result of all of my hard work. When I attend Alabama State I plan on majoring in Accounts and focus on a minor in business management and computer science." By DAHALIA SMITH