“Avoid naysayers.”
That is the advice local magistrate, Bernard B. Pacquette, had for some 50 graduates of the Dominica State College’s Spring Graduation of the 11th Commencement ceremony over the weekend.
“When you have decided what you want to do, please do not listen to people that you cannot do it, it’s so difficult, it’s never been done before, a woman can’t do that…that is not a man’s job,” he told the graduates. “If Barack Obama had listened to people, including myself, who said that America would never elect a Black President, then Hillary Clinton could have been president today.”
He said those doubters and naysayers come in many forms including friends and family members. He used himself as an example when he enrolled at the University of the Virgin Islands at 28 with a family.
“I was working fulltime and going to work fulltime,” he stated.”A very close friend of mine told me in patois, ‘man, a big hard back man like you, going back to school, leave that for your children.’ If I had listened to my mother, I would have been a priest, that is what she wanted.”
He said he had told his mother in third or fourth form at St. Mary’s Academy that he wanted to be a lawyer.
“She didn’t hear that part, she only wanted me to join the priesthood, I told her that I was an acolyte, that was enough,” he said.
Pacquette told the graudates that once they decide what they want to do, the rest is easy because determination and hard work will make it happen.
“I know many of you are fearful about graduating in this tough economy, you must be worried about finding a job, furthering your education, starting a business,” he said.
He urged the graduates to always start with a plan in whatever they do.
“The first step in your plan is to find out what do you want,” the magistrate stated. “Sometimes that is easy, some of you have already figured it out, the rest of you [are] back at the start line waiting for that ball on your head to turn around and for you to decide what it is that you want to do.”
He said the graduates should not allow anyone to make decisions for them.
“You have to do it yourself. Do not let your parents decide for you. If you have any difficulty doing that, spend some time alone with yourself, listen to what is inside your head and you will come up with the right answer,” Pacquette said.
During the ceremony two Bachelor of Science and forty- five associate degrees were conferred.
Three students graduated with certificates in the Applied Arts.
Three students also received awards for attaining the highest Comprehensive Grade Point Average within their majors.
Aunty wilma u rock!! Proud of you on this great achievement. Allison
You rock aunty wilma. We are so proud of you.mamma too
Commarad! Pacquette, Well done, You talk the talk, and walk the walk, therefore no better person could be more qualified to deliver this message to our deserving graduates. You have been to the mountain top and down the hills and valley, now you earn the right to lead. I remember when you and others turn out to join the Police Force some said you were too short to become a policeman you proved them wrong,no less the one that was incharge of SPECIAL BRANCH” “DB”he too must be proud of you. I remember in our days those senior officers were threatened by our skills and effectiveness of the work we did as officers they branded us RUMSON”. and prevented us from getting promotion. That`s why some of the crooks and their crooked ways were the order of the day and still is today, sorry its the truth” Surfice to say I will be eternally grateful to have served the Dominican public with the highest level of professionalism and honesty as law enforcers no politicking or bring go and bring come. There was no place for such in our Force back then. Now with a few good men still serving and I say to them hold the fort and continue to do the job with pride, and respect. But things are spinning left and wright I pray for our men and woman to hold strong regardless of the circumstances you will leave to be thankful for life.
congrats nurse Espirt well done
Very good encouraging words
Congrats to all those who made it!
Congrats Aunty Wilma.. So Proud and yes. Ma is indeed smiling down on u..
DNO, what are the names of the students who received awards?
Ginette Vigilante, Jarsmine Vidal and Chayil Jno Baptiste-Peters
The perfect story says who – Dsc Students, What – graduation – When – Weekend Where – ?
Congrats aunty wilma!
good words my friend.
Yeaaaaa aunty Wilma. Congrats! We are soooooo proud of you. Mama is to.
Wow Mr. Pacquette always wondered what happened to u I know u went into the Army well so I was told but always knew u as a well smart guy when we worked together in STT, to the young folks that he was speaking to this is one man u can believe what he says this guy went through life the hard way meaning of working real hard while going to school now look where he is at wow.
hey salway and peltier you presented well, congrats. Moi