Ambassador to US encourages DSC graduates to stand up and be counted

Over 300 students graduated during the ceremony

Dr. Vince Henderson, Dominica’s Ambassador to the United States of America and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), has encouraged over 300 Dominica State College graduates to rise up and be counted among the masses.

He was speaking at the 15th commencement ceremony for the students on Wednesday July 12th 2017 at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium.

“I urge you class of 2017 to stand up and be counted. Do not be caught in that trap that everything will continue as it is. You have to make your contribution; you have to defend the things which are right and the things which are good. You must get engaged in the dialogue, you must get engaged in the discussion of development, you must ask the hard questions that some of us are afraid to ask,” he said.

He stressed to the students to “move away from the petty issues” that continue to pervade in the Dominican society and occupy time, and instead, focus on the development of the country and people.

Henderson addressing the ceremony

“All the things that we do from morning to night on the airways, on the internet, attacking one another, destroying one another and destroying our country, is that the Dominica we want to inherit? Is that the Dominica you want to wake up to? Young people, you know how people tell we are the future? You have to stand up and tell them ‘no, we are the present and the future of Dominica and I want to part of defining the future of Dominica because I deserve a right’,” Henderson stated.

He told the graduates that as they continue their journey, they must continue to want more for themselves and for Dominica.

“Thank God we have gotten to where we are. Are we going to sit by silently and allow all this progress that we have made to vanish away? Are we going to let our voices be drowned by those who have not pursued a form of educational training to help themselves and to help their communities? Is that what we are going to accept? Class of 2017, I urge to thin very seriously about the kind of Dominica that we want,” he said.

He remarked that what he would appreciate seeing is that all of the people of this country commit themselves to a journey of development together as a people, and the graduating class continues to working hard to make life better in their individual communities.

“Let us be willing to have the debates on the troubling issues of our time, let us listen to each other, let us put forth our ideas that we can have a battle of ideas rather than a battle of personalities. Let us all rise to make Dominica a better place for present and future generations,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister for Education, Petter Saint Jean, urged the students to become Dominica’s “greatest generation.”

Education Minister Petter Saint Jean

“If anyone can develop Dominica, you can. You can because you are the best and the brightest, the greatest news, however, is this; if you develop Dominica, if you transform Dominica into some sort of first world nation, then you get to be Dominica’s greatest generation,” Saint Jean said.

He added that with taking on this mantle, the students must be prepared considering Dominica as a small island bringing in big challenges, and they must give back to the country, and fill in the gap, which are the needs of the country.

“The mission for entrepreneurship is to fill the gaps, wherever the gaps may exist. Therefore, as Minister for Education and Human Resource Development, I come to you, the most catered to generation, to implore you to become our greatest generation, focus on our common challenges, fill the gaps that still trouble our existence as a nation,” he remarked.

He also encouraged the students to build a better region, nation, and world and to bear in mind the thought that they are capable of doing anything that they set their minds to.

“This is your Dominica, I urge you, still, I dare you to stay in Dominica, or return to Dominica if you must leave. Remember that Dominica belongs to each and every one of us,” he remarked.

The Valedictorian of the graduating class was Stephanie Pascal, a Mathematics, Economics and Physics major.

Valedictorian Stephanie Pascal

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

17 Comments

  1. Toto
    July 14, 2017

    And after you have counted them Vince what then? Are you going to give them a job?

  2. 1979
    July 13, 2017

    when my child done with allu college just send her certificate for her in the mail….I making sure she grow up with one eye on her goals and on eye looking out for people like those … who disguise themselves as servants of our nation… I swear if I have to listen to these hypocrites for to long is a chair I might send behind one of them..

  3. Have faith
    July 13, 2017

    Well I am one of those who graduated yesterday and I personally am not going to stay Dominica.. to go work clear Habour? but I promise to return to help our poor health system .

  4. DSC Alumni
    July 13, 2017

    When Donald Peters keeps denying political debates every time they are requested, you soon see the level of ignorance. Also, Vince you are directly benefiting from the pettiness and the nonsense that has kept this govt in office for so long. Don’t be a hypocrite.

    Congrats to all the graduates of 2017, you all have worked extremely hard to get to this point. Your duty to Dominica should come in a way that makes you feel accomplished and morally satisfied. Do not follow these types of scoundrels (Vince, Donald, St. Jean Skerrit et al) for you will always need to look over your shoulders with a guilty conscience. Next couple months will surely be much harder but don’t lose hope in this system, fight to change it. Go forward and learn about yourselves to guide your further development.

    I also notice DNO didn’t include any excerpt of Stephanie’s speech. This should be rectified. I’d imagine she had great words for her graduating class and it’s disrespectful to keep this out.

    • DSC Alumni
      July 14, 2017

      Now they did (RE: Speech), days later. At least they’re considering our input! :)

  5. Tony
    July 13, 2017

    Hello and good afternoon my people. I would like to congratulate all the graduates on their achievements. I hope all of the graduates will find gainful employment in Dominica but we know that our number one export is our educated citizens. Well Ms Pascal if you are looking for an educated husband I have one for you and he can get you out of Dominica.

  6. Country Man
    July 13, 2017

    We need to be careful about the narrow definition of ‘best and brightest’ – does that mean that someone who did not attend the DSC or graduate from the DSC can’t be one of the best and brightest. Remember labels can do great harm.

  7. Hendricks ismael
    July 13, 2017

    President Donald Peters , prime minister , president of dominica , minister of education , board of director s faculty , aluminum , students , proud parents , and all Dominicans , it takes team efforts to accomplished great things . I am honoured to know you accomplished something I never did. Your job now is to go and change the world . Don’t ‘Allow demagogues to divide us. It is necessary that we fight together for a new vision for Dominica . You know and I know that these are tough times for our country which we all love . Seeing the beautiful people in the photo I have enormous conference in the future of our country , I want to wish you all the very best of luck in the future . Thanks to a government that understands how critical education is in our development .

    • Me
      July 16, 2017

      Glad to know you have a conference in the future of our country. Please, give me the date and venue so I may attend.

  8. July 13, 2017

    Tremendous address Mr ambassador, i would like to hear some what the same type of address from the prime minister in waiting, the leader of the UWP. I continue to see the vast RATIO of young women to men in the graduating process, this ongoing predicament will have grave consequences in man woman relationship in the future. Bob D.

  9. Han
    July 13, 2017

    Vince what else do you have to say about collaboration and respect with people whop disagree with the graduate’s positions?

  10. Balone
    July 13, 2017

    Congratulations to DSC and all the students.

    By the way can the DSC President tell us in what month was graduation held in 2003?
    If my memory serves me right this graduation was NOT the first held in July. But then ….

  11. Voice of Reason
    July 13, 2017

    While I\’m in agreement with both the distinguished ambassador and the esteemed Minister, for the most part, I am a bit confused with the educational system at home. Having graduated from the DSC, what is the next step for the 300 students?One would conclude that there are three possible outcomes:
    Gainful employment
    Entrepreneurial spirit
    Further education abroad
    Given those three scenarios and the economic condition of the country, one would have a difficult time being successful at any one of the three scenarios. It is simply demoralizing to have made hard sacrifices with few opportunities to put what was learnt into practice thereby gaining experience and an income.
    While government cannot and should not be the biggest employer in the country, it is however it\’s responsibility to harness resources and build partnerships with the private sector in order to foster an environment of economic growth, thereby providing for employment.

    • July 13, 2017

      There’s a fourth possible outcome: further education in Dominica, whether through the local centre of UWI, at BTC, or online.

  12. papa
    July 13, 2017

    Pm stop giving hand out our children need jobs

    • July 13, 2017

      Stop your bragging and go look for work yourself I sure you taking d ha
      Hand outs

    • dayandnight vision
      July 13, 2017

      That Comment is in VERY POOR TASTE

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available