The Tribune

With a march to the Church of God of Prophecy in Steventon, Exuma is how celebrations highlighting the achievements of the islands’ youth began last week.

Joining the parade to the church were members of the Defence Force Rangers’ programme, the Navigators, the Girl Guides, and the student honorees. The moderators for this celebratory service were two of the island’s distinguished young people: Dereka Bodie, head girl of St Andrew’s Anglican School, and Boris Williams, head boy of L N Coakley High School.

Exuma’s Youth Committee, headed by chairperson Michelle Armbrister under the mandate of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, decided to celebrate the youngsters under the theme “Youth Globally Connected, Locally Focused.”

Chester Cooper, MP for Exuma, Ragged Island and the Cays, bought remarks and expressed how delighted he was to be in the company of these young people. He referenced a song by gospel singer Sinach, which says “You are a chosen generation”, and noted how important it is to recognise the youth because they are tomorrow’s leaders. He further acknowledged his party’s Young Liberals who accompanied him, especially Tyronelle Rolle, a 2019 graduate of the L N Coakley High School who is currently a nursing student at the University of the Bahamas. Mr Cooper further motivated the youth to be a part of the leadership in Exuma and to shine.

Senior Island Administrator Ivan Ferguson highlighted the accomplishments of Hannah Percentie, Exuma’s Youth in Parliament representative and all the young people who participated in the recent youth concert.

“Young people continue to make Exuma proud and leave it greater than I met it,” he said.

Deputy Chief Councillor Patterson Smith of Exuma’s local government encouraged the youth to continue to do their best in their academic and personal development.

Meanwhile, District Superintendent Pamela Gorte congratulated the youth on behalf of the Minister of Education. She further encouraged them to put God first in everything they do and to be globally connected.

Young Don Rolle of the Exuma Christian Academy presented the guest speaker, Daran Clarke. Mr Clarke pointed out how we are all globally connected thanks to cell phones.

“But we must stay locally focused. We have an advantage with the global connections in that we can learn a lot about different cultures and different methodologies, but we still must master our skills locally. We must always remember who we are and our goals,” he said.

Mr Clarke encouraged the youth to remain steadfast even when faced with hard or challenging times. He referenced the story of Joseph and explained that despite what he faced, God still promoted Joseph and allowed him to help and save his people.

“Grapes are pressed to make wine and almonds are crushed to make oil,” he noted.

He further exhorted the youth that they can overcome through Christ Jesus.

“God does not call the qualified but He qualifies the called. You are not too young, too small or too insignificant for God. Do not be a crowd-pleaser and follower, but create your own path and follow your dream and aspirations,” he said.

Musical selections were presented by Arnischa Gardiner who sang, “He wants it all”; Alexandria Taylor-Turtle who sang “You Are A Chosen Generation”, and the group Chosen of the Seventh-day Adventist Church which performed the song “Order My Steps”.

All in all, 40 young Exumians were honoured and presented with awards for their civic, sports, social and leadership accomplishments.