The Tribune

IT took less than an hour to bring to an auspicious end an epic, three-year journey which saw 31 students develop from awkward teens into confident young adults.

On Thursday, September 28, Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling presented the youths with their Gold Award certificate and pin from the number one, non-formal education programme in the world.

The brief ceremony took place in the ballroom of Government House on Mount Fitzwilliam.

A milestone for participants as well as the organisation, the event comes as the Governor General's Youth Award (GGYA) celebrates its 30th year of continuous operation.

The Gold level's starting age is 16. The programme's highest award takes a minimum of 12 months for Silver recipients who have developed a skill, provided a service and participated in physical recreation and adventurous journeys.

The journey itself could involve hiking, cycling, kayaking or some other activity, as long as it spans four days and three nights of exploration.

Expedition

Gold participants must also undertake a residential (service) project, broadening their experience through involvement with individuals outside their normal social circles in an expedition which takes them away from home for five days and four nights.

"The four components plus residential project that you undertake go into building the character of people in demand by business people," said Major David Clarke, regional director of the Americas, who was in town for the event.

The Americas office represents The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation in the region with the Americas team working with leaders and award operators from Canada to Argentina.

"The award has positioned you carefully. It has positioned you well," said Major Clarke, who gained his title from his time spent in the Barbados Defence Force.

"I hope that you will take the award and you will go forward and you will be successful."

Gold recipients Raven Pennerman and D'Quan Smith, two youths who entered the programme through the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Rangers, both felt the need to give back to an initiative that has done much to equip them for life.

"The next step is to complete our Leader's Award and volunteer," said 21-year-old Mr Smith who initially joined GGYA to advance within the ranks of the Rangers organisation, but quickly found the internationally recognised, self-development programme quite rewarding.

Bonds

Mr Smith forged bonds with national director Denise Mortimer. Participants, he recalled, "entered the programme as strangers and then become your children."

Accepting a Gold Award on behalf of her daughter, Errin Spencer, was Shanika Pearson.

An honours student throughout her time spent at Queen's College, Ms Spencer is currently attending Trent University in Canada.

"I am very proud of her accomplishment," said Ms Pearson who recognised the value of the programme early on and encouraged her daughter to persevere, despite a rigorous academic schedule.

"Along with the academics you also need a social balance.

"I am a part of the Kiwanis Club so I know the importance of providing service and overall personal development."

For 18-year-old Grand Bahamian Vaughneisha Knowles, GGYA taught her resilience and how to rise above challenges.

"We have been battered by hurricanes in Grand Bahama, but my time spent in GGYA taught me how to rough it," she said.

"I'm better able to ride out the storm, the adversities affiliated with the hurricane season because of GGYA."