Candis-Amber Petty, a former student of H.O. Nash Junior School who is currently a student at C.R. Walker Senior School, was recognized for her academic achievements in the 2013 Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) examinations at the 12th Northwestern District Thanksgiving Awards and Recognition Ceremony.She was graded at A grades for the eight exams she sat (and finished in a three-way tie for the best BJC results with Dana Knowles from N.G.M. High School, Long Island, and Margaret Albury Higgs from Forest Heights, an independent school out of Abaco). Candis-Amber tied with Dana for the best results by government school students. She also had the best results by a New Providence student.C.R. Walker students Oneisa Lundy achieved seven A grades and one C grade, and Lheintz Vincent achieved five A grades, two B grades and one C grade.Candis-Amber was also among a number of students honored, including the students who were recognized for having the highest grade point averages in their respective Northwestern District schools during the 2012/2013 school year: Chardonay Garrick, Albury Sayle Primary (3.70); Destiny Smith, Gambier Primary (3.44); Mandria Brown, Mable Walker Primary (3.46); Jada Culmer, Oakes Field Primary (4.00); Shavanti Farrington, Stephen Dillet Primary (3.55); Yolanda Erhabor, T.G. Glover Primary (3.64); Alda Arne, Woodcock Primary (3.50); Phlesea McPhee, H.O. Nash Junior (3.60); Shantinique Miller, T.A. Thompson Junior (3.60); Randy Roberts, C.C. Sweeting Senior (3.30); Beautisca King, C.R. Walker (3.80); Janoah Saunders, Centre for the Deaf (3.55); Tarvis Cooper, Stapledon School (3.55); Tyrone Woods, Naomi Blatch Pre-School; Korey Christie, and Thalia Cartwright from Willard Patton Pre-School.During the ceremony, Director of Education Lionel Sands told the students that no students are disposable in the pursuit of academic excellence. He said that while many students are succeeding academically, there was a minority being left behind for various reasons.Sands told the students that he was inspired by the successful students being recognized at the ceremony held at Living Waters Kingdom Ministries and that he believed that every child should be given the opportunity to fulfill their purpose.

The education director also addressed school administrators and told them that the practice of indefinite suspensions would be eradicated from public schools, as officials at the Ministry of Education were discovering that too many students were being suspended for frivolous infractions, something he said was unacceptable.C.C. Sweeting Senior School was highlighted for a second place outstanding performance by government schools in career and technical education and having the most improved grade point average in government schools in the BJC exams.In the innovation in schools category, all 14 schools in the district were recognized for introducing a new program which enhanced their teaching and learning programs -- The Centre for the Deaf for mainstreaming two students at H.O. Nash Junior School who are preparing to sit the BJC examination in June 2014; Naomi Blatch Pre-School for its thematic approach to learning; Stapledon School for its agriculture and beauty programs and Albury Sayle for its focus on literacy.The two most coveted prizes for overall performances in the district, The Harriet Pratt Quality Award and the Valderine Rumer Award for Academic Excellence went to Oakes Field Primary School. The school has won both awards for five consecutive years.Director of Youth in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Darren Turnquest, who also spoke at the ceremony, told students that they were all accountable for their actions and that they have to realize that bad decisions have consequences. He advised them to have a positive attitude, brand themselves as priceless and remember that popularity does not matter.Turnquest told the teachers that their job is to motivate students even though they have the hardest job that anyone can do in The Bahamas. He also told parents that their job is to participate in their children's education. During the ceremony, Shirley Barr, the former principal of Naomi Blatch Primary School was honored for 51 years of service in education. Deborah Coleby, a former vice principal at Woodcock Primary School and Wilfred Butler, former senior master at C.C. Sweeting Senior School were recognized for their service to the district. Pastor Sharon Nairn who counseled students, organized a breakfast program, and supported students in the shacks during their Junior Junkanoo preparations was recognized for her philanthropy in the district schools. Students receiving awards in the extracurricular activities category included Travis Robinson, C.R. Walker Senior School (Junior. Minister of Tourism); Aradhana Gilbert, C.R. Walker Senior School (Laws of Life Essay); Laquann Nairn, C. R. Walker Senior School (Carifta Games gold and silver medalist);Brackiel Henry, T. A. Thompson Junior School (District Spelling Bee champion); Sydney Clarke, H.O. Nash Junior School (Jr. tennis champion);Trovonya Thompson, H.O. Nash Junior School (Arts and Drama, National Arts Festival); and Saquan Miller (bronze medalist, water polo, CARIFTA).

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