The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – The class of 2013 at Jack Hayward High School attended an impromptu graduation ceremony held in Hawksbill on Tuesday, after their official event was cancelled by the school’s administration.

Determined to see their children graduate, a group of parents organised a passing out ceremony at 10am at the School for Prophetic Ministry Church for the 147 graduating seniors.

Pastor Frank Hagan and veteran educator Joseph Darville addressed the graduates, however, there was no conferring of diplomas, awards, or scholarships.

Last week, a decision was made by the school administration to cancel graduation because of reported inappropriate behaviour by some students during senior week.

The students were very disappointed with the decision and parents staged a protest at the Ministry of Education.

Mr Darville criticised parliamentary representatives on Grand Bahama for their absence.

“Not even one parliamentarian, or senator, from among the many on Grand Bahama, both government or opposition, has come to your aid or assistance. But watch carefully, for in 2017, when you are at the voting age, they will come slobbering at your door begging your vote,” he said.

He also criticised the school’s principal for withholding instruments of graduation, including diplomas, certificates, awards, final grades, transcripts, and recommendation.

Mr Darville commended the group of parents who organised the graduation ceremony.

Head girl Bianca Garland extended special thanks to parents, Mr Darville, Troy Garvey, Etienne Farquharson and community youth leader Mr Dudley Seide.

She encouraged her classmates to continue to do well.

“Today is living proof that no one or anything can or will stop us from succeeding,” she said.

Dudley Seide was very proud of his son Dominic.

“A lot of the kids were devastated because there was not going to be a ceremony, but we got together and made sure they have one,” he said.

Mr Seide said he was not so much upset that graduation was cancelled, but more becaue the Ministry of Education did not sit down with the children and explained what was going on.

“They left them to fend for themselves almost,” he said. “These students are very smart, but they made a mistake and we prayed for them and held sessions with them to let them know that there are consequences for their actions,” he said.

Patrice Mackey Symonette, the mother of graduate Lavante Symonette, believes that the school and the Ministry of Education have failed the students.

“This class can boast of being one with the highest number of honour students and it is unacceptable that the school has withheld their diplomas, certificates, and transcripts.

“That is the most hurtful part because we have students who are unable to apply for scholarships, or complete their college applications because these documents are being withheld. I feel that the MOE should look at the fact they have failed these students severely, but they will overcome,” she said.

“The minister of education and the ministry have not done their jobs, but we, the parents, have ensured that our children be rewarded for the hard work they have done,” said Mrs Symonette.

Parent Ingrid Bain said she was looking forward to her daughter Shalandra’s graduation.

“It is really a blessing. I was looking forward to this day for the very long time. She is my first child and I am very proud of her. I was very upset with how the school was trying to take this opportunity from them with no just cause, but I am glad this day is here.”

Graduate Shalandra Feaster said: “I feel good that the parents were able to make sure we had a graduation.”

Graduate Kdezha Bain, a teen mom, was very excited. “I feel good to know that I made it to the end when others didn’t. It was hard studying and having to deal with a baby at the same time, but I preserved.”

Activist Troy Garvey said he was very happy for the students and their parents.

“I felt it was unfair to cancel the graduation and today these children are leaving high school to go into real world,” he said.

“I think it was very wrong for the school principal to take such a position, she has failed as a leader.”

Mr Darville, former principal at GB Catholic High, added, “I have been a strong disciplinarian all my years as principal, and I have barred individual students when they did something very horrific from walking. But I would never have conceived… to cancel a graduation of that many young people.

“I think it was necessary that I come to their aid when I learned what was being dished out to them.

“They were being disregarded by the very people who were supposed to nurture them, care for them, and see them through at this level of their achievement.

“There was no way that we could have sent 147 students out there into the world with the stigma that was imposed upon them without any valid reason. Even after our own investigations, we have not found one iota of evidence that would be sufficient to bar a particular student form actually going through this particular ceremony much less 147 children.

“That is a pill I could not swallow and I think that any so called principal should not be called that name to impose that kind of punishment and lack of redemption that was meted to young people.”

Cecil Thompson, a former principal at Hawksbill High, said many of the parents are his former students.

“When I was serving as principal at Hawksbill High for 10 years, I could not be drunk enough or high enough to cancel graduation.

“To make a decision like this, I was always mindful, and never for a moment forgot, the people who were was paying my salary, the parents of over 2,000 students.

“ I have yet to read or hear evidence that justify the decision. There might be evidence, but I have yet to hear, or read it.

“I could not believe that 147 kids, the entire class was guilty of all the alleged things. When you get in the business of punishing the whole group, it is inherently flawed, because you can’t punish those that are innocent.”