2017 DSC Valedictorian stresses need for greater integrity and accountability in Dominica

Valedictorian Stephanie Pascal

Valedictorian of the Dominica State College (DSC) Graduating class of 2017, Stephanie Pascal, has called on the graduates and Dominicans by extension, to increase their level of integrity as the world is “tainted” with lies and deceit.

She gave the charge at the 15th Commencement ceremony of over 300 graduates on July 12th at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium.

In her address, Pascal said that with integrity comes honesty and morality.

“Today’s world has become tainted with deceit, corruption and lies; therefore the need for integrity is greater than ever before. To have integrity is to be honest and to showcase strong morals. Integrity is embodied in the most used quote of the last U.S. elections ‘Your Word is Your Bond.’ Do whatever you say you will do, and do it to the best of your ability,” Pascal said.

She encouraged the other graduates to always “keep true to your word” for it is difficult to regain a trust that has been lost and to show accountability for actions done.

“My dear graduates, we must also be accountable for our actions, do not do anything in life simply because you have to, rather do it because you want to or because that step will take you closer to achieving your goals,” she stated.

She also encouraged the graduates to find their purpose, as having this is a major contributor to accountability.

She spoke of the respect for God, self, parents, peers, superiors, and those who are labeled as inferior by others and she used the example of a bus driver and how he, with the level of education and experience that he has, molds his children into great men and women.

“To you, he is just a mere bus driver, someone who has only attained primary school education. True this man is only a bus driver, but he is also a father, a father to three children whom he has been there for every single day of their lives. He instills value in such as importance of being well-rounded individuals, striving in both academic and extracurriculars…The value of having a voice and never being afraid to speak out, even if you have to speak out alone, as a result, his children will go on to become engineers, athletes and politicians, do not disrespect the bus driver, he and his children do not appreciate it,” Pascal stated.

She left her audience with a quote from American actor, Andrew Shue, and noted that a level of thanks and appreciation must be shown by the graduates who have seen the end of their academic journey at the DSC.

“I leave you with the words of Andrew Shue, ‘Life is the most exciting opportunity we have. But we have one shot. You graduate from college once, and that’s it. You’re going out of that nest, and you have to find that courage that’s deep, deep, deep in there, every step of the way.’ Equipped with God, proper support systems, such as family and friends and now most recently our Associate Degree, I have no doubts that we will all travel far on our respective journeys,” she remarked.

 

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35 Comments

  1. Maria Etienne-Pascal
    July 17, 2017

    Congratulations Stephanie you have made us proud.. Please people, why so much politics??????????

  2. anonymous
    July 17, 2017

    When i look at the comments i wonder why does everything in Dominica have to be rerouted as being political?

    Ms. Pascal, congratulations on your achievement and as a past convent student of the graduating class of 2007 (who knows your sister), i expected nothing less and i am very proud of you. May your brilliance continue to shine with God as your right hand. Hats off to Ms. Stephanie Pascal, looking forward to greater future achievements from you :)

  3. IFF I WUZ PARRY
    July 16, 2017

    Great speech, Tell that to Skeritt, when you meet him.

  4. Colihaut
    July 16, 2017

    Money rules the world words mean nothing

  5. Colihaut
    July 16, 2017

    Money rules the world without it nothing moves

  6. k th jake
    July 16, 2017

    Dominica is too small for the amount of educated persons in there get out and make success outside

  7. July 15, 2017

    WELL SAID Miss PASCAL.

  8. July 15, 2017

    Let time be the true educator, as you continue in life my beautiful young EMPRESS , the words used will become more difficult to live by. Life is full of contradictions, the advice given is always looking directly in reverse. Remember princess, life is in most cases a college degree. LIVE AND LEARN. Bob D

  9. Business Minded
    July 15, 2017

    Congratulations young miss, keep the struggle and fantastic words flowing:

    I will add a little with a link.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVhBOcUv4QY

  10. Profet of Doom
    July 15, 2017

    ‘Well_rounded individuals’ is the high light of your speech.of your and that is what we need to be.

  11. freedom fighter
    July 15, 2017

    Wow, very touching. Here is a future leader of our country but whatever career you choose don’t go into politics. Your speech will come back to hunt you.

    • viewsexpressed
      July 16, 2017

      Politics is a science and do not be deterred with negativity and for sure some people have become scared of politics simply and understanding that there is a corrupt labour government lead by an inept PM in Dominica killing us no longer softly but desperately. Pursue your studies, do alot of research and com back to run Dominica if this is or may be your call. But do not return like this M, too young nd immature to be PM, …see the world, engaged in systems, comparable studies and be exposed to management and discipline.
      Great job, keep reading, do your research and keep writing.

  12. A True Scholar
    July 15, 2017

    I am very proud of this young lady and Dominica State College valedictorian Ms.Pascal. She gives us hope for a better Dominica when she focused on truth telling, trust and integrity all of which are sorely lacking in the Government of the day and too many of our population which believes that lies and crime pays. Seldom have we heard such wisdom uttered from a student leader in these sad times on Dominica where deceit dominates the state showing such a poor example to our young. I hope the minister of education and the ambassador were listening and taking notes. They were taken to school by this true scholar.

    Dear Ms. Pascal I salute your moral courage, scholarship and guidance. May your path be blessed and we, those of us who care more for the betterment of Dominica, shall help you reach your dreams by the grace of God. We thank your parents and teachers for doing a good job.

    You have restored my faith in the courage of our youth and students. A true hero! We need more like…

  13. indira Ghandi
    July 14, 2017

    Congratulations, youn lady.
    May you become a mouthpiece for Dominica

  14. July 14, 2017

    Ms. Pascal:

    You speak with a prophetical voice.

    Every statement you made is so true with the qualities of both a two edged sword and a healing balm.

    We need your message in Canada and I expect many people here will be reading it. Thanks to you for boldly speaking with such insight, and thanks to D.N.O. for sharing this with us.

    May God help us to be *Doers of the word, and not hearers only.* (St. James)

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.

    I see in you the younger generation rising and a new Dominica in the making.

  15. Toa
    July 14, 2017

    I hope the opposition heard your words because they need to suck it in.

    • viewsexpressed
      July 16, 2017

      Tea Boy, this is for all of us including members of the UWP who have welcomed it. Why is it you “…only hope the opposition heard her words…?”….and where is the government, who moreseo this is relating to and addressed to from my reading. Applies the corrupt labour government more than any other group.

  16. %
    July 14, 2017

    Well said young lady.Plaudits to you,and to those who have instilled it into you..There is still hope for Dominica!

  17. Jonathan St jean
    July 14, 2017

    Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings commeth wisdom beyond her age.Why on Earth,despite the warnings to the Skerritt cabal,to include his US ambassador, can’t these clowns see that their style of governance is not a good one.They chose the Venezuelan model over that of other peaceful democracies in the Western hemisphere.Look at the wisdom of the Barbados government in matters of governance.Why can’t this be a model that Dominica or Skerritt would choose to follow under the Skerritt led government.Instead we heard the rubbish talk “if not Skerritt then who”. Thank you young lady.

    • Ny boss
      July 15, 2017

      Please respect the young lady speach ,u and ur damn Politics jesus christ help that famn fool ppl like u killing the damn country politics in every damn thing

      • viewsexpressed
        July 16, 2017

        Jonathan is right, NY Boss, please read again and please comprehend., it will really help have a bigger picture of the politics and corruption by the Labour government and their immature leaders.

  18. Vibz
    July 14, 2017

    I hope that the DSC President was listening. Can he count the number of “alternate truths” aka lies he told in his brief address at that very ceremony?

    • viewsexpressed
      July 16, 2017

      You mean, the Dr. Peters, Right?, add to that list Sam Raphael

  19. Meoww
    July 14, 2017

    Congrats young lady..

  20. Tony
    July 14, 2017

    Hello and good afternoon my people. Ms Pascal you are an intelligent young lady but there isn’t anything in Dominica for you so please try and find a way out. Many of us know that our number one export is our educated people so keep up the tradition.

    • viewsexpressed
      July 14, 2017

      Tony, this is just NOT encouraging, not at all. This young child is brilliant and I am impressed with her address. My God. Great analysis of thought, relevant, today youth to clean up yesterdays corrupt practices and this is one young lady to observe aspiring and heading for the positon of Prime Minister in years to come. Do not go for prime Mininister below the age of 45.
      You see, Skerrit has not matured, has no foundation o development, surrounds himself with nmisfits etc etc. Be strong girl and look for good role models but keep your eyes and the drastic mistakes and corruption of this corrupt labour government and this inept PM Skerrit. Stay away from them. I have, you better too.

    • Business Minded
      July 15, 2017

      Nice advice. You did not even advise her to go and return to build country. And what happens if she returns? She may be told as I have heard do many times upon my return: Wat you know, you go away and left us here and you want to come back and tell us what to do.

      Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

      Young miss, just do what is in your best interest but always remember Booplay and his patrioti: Some of us have to stay at home.

  21. Kaizer
    July 14, 2017

    Simply amazing!! The Giant Elephants in Dominican Society, Morality and Blatant Hypocrisy. I am so thankful that there are strong and intelligent who love the truth and God. The world that we have come to know is completely fake. Everything is drenched in deceit. There is a war on truth in the world, it will take all the brave intelligent and faithful youth to stand up and declare the Truth, no matter the consequences. This woman has renewed my faith in the possibility of finding a worthwhile life-partner.

    We need more young women of this caliber, not just book-smart but intelligent and able to think critically.
    Kudos to the parents of such a wonderful young lady, you guys did an amazing job.

    • anonymous
      July 17, 2017

      Amen!

  22. Right made wrong
    July 14, 2017

    Very good observation. My only fear is the possible twofold cost you might have to pay: 1. You might not get a job. 2. You might have to do like Judas Iscarriot and start calling bad good

    • Locs Girl
      July 14, 2017

      The sky is the limit for her.

  23. DSC Alumni
    July 14, 2017

    Thanks DNO for adding this! You all took too long but came through in the end.

    Dominicans fail to respect the importance of the seemingly remedial tasks and end up belittling them. Appreciate everyone and their roles: the real key to humility

    • 1979
      July 14, 2017

      humility , being the first step in learning…

    • July 14, 2017

      A good point!

      What matters most in life is not what you do but how you do it.

      Do what you enjoy because that is what you will do best.

      Whatever you are be the best in your field by doing the best you possibly can do.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.

  24. Mellie
    July 14, 2017

    Well said! Congrats!

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