Key note speaker, Perry Wilson, Senior Branch Manager of First Caribbean International Bank, inspired the students and faculty with his moving story of how he climbed the corporate ladder from the age of 17 as a courier, to his position now as a branch manager.
He shared that he started with the Windward Islands Bank without a high school diploma, transporting mail from one location to the next, then after getting an opportunity to move to the data entry department he recognized the need for higher education when he realized he could go no further without a high school diploma. Consequently, after a few years he attained his GED; then an Associate's degree and finally a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Finance and Accounting, at the Hogeschool van Groningen, in the Netherlands.
Wilson's testimony impressed upon the students that the path to success is a life long journey of persistence, perseverance, determination and endurance to reach your desired goals and that furthering one's education greatly enhances that journey. The students were both challenged and inspired by his talk about his journey to success, as he spoke directly to where many of them find themselves now. His story also provided them with encouragement that despite their past setbacks, they are capable of succeeding in life if they persist.
SMITH's Education Coordinator, Sidonia Hodge-Lacorbiniere, exhorted the students that SMITH believes in them and expects from them excellence. Consequently, SMITH will demand their best efforts for maximum results so that ultimately they will complete the next two years of their programs successfully. She also emphasized that SMITH was just the beginning of their life-long road of continuing education of attaining their dreams in life and that they can be assured of the quality of their education.
Vice president of SMITH's recently formed Student Government Association (SGA), Isha Marlin also greeted the new students and shared some of SGA's goals and objectives for their term in office.
These ambitious goals include:
1. Assisting SMITH in acquiring its own facilities so that the students may have better facilities and their own identity as students.
2. Providing SMITH with more visibility within the community.
3. Encouraging and motivating the students to stick with the program and successfully complete their education.
SMITH's Social Coordinator, Erna Mae Francis, M.A., D.D. also shared her words of encouragement and inspiration to the students and facilitated an icebreaker which culminated in the participants sharing their favourite inspirational quotes. Sharing of these quotes was designed to provide inspiration for the students to successfully pursue their education. From this exercise, the class chose a cutting-edge quote to live by for this school year: "Go where there is no path and leave a trail."
Persons interested in attending SMITH or who would like more information about the courses offered, may contact the SMITH office at E. C. Richardson Street #23, Philipsburg, St. Maarten or call 542-1620 or 542-8969.
