Dominica State College students Kelda David and Shawn Francis together with State College Professor Edgar Hunter, concluded their internship at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC on Friday June 25th, 2010.
The students were sponsored by the Academy of Arts and Sciences. The President of DAAS, Dr. Clayton Shillingford was at the farewell function for the students and remarked on his own involvement with the Smithsonian researchers who have written several books and papers on the unique Flora and Fauna of Dominica under the Bredin-Archibold-Smithsonian biological survey of Dominica.
The students learnt of Dr. Robert De Fillips, Former Smithsonian Botanist who collaborated with the DAAS, and when he passed away, his brother Willard De Fillips had bequeathed the Dominica properties to DAAS for the youth of Dominica and plant science development.
Dr. John Kress, Chairman of the Department of Botany delivered the Smithsonian’s own tribute to the Dominica State College Professor Edgar Hunter and students Kelda David and Shawn Francis who spent time viewing the many Smithsonian international scientific and natural history displays, visiting other key museums in the area, assisting in research and learning the science of herbarium cataloging of the Dominican collections. They are the first DAAS/Smithsonian interns in natural history. He considered them to have been diligent and dynamic; something which augurs well for the future of the collaboration. Certificates of participation were awarded to the Dominica State College interns by Dr. Shillingford. He also awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History for its support and Dr. Fontaine for hosting the Dominica delegation.
Professor Hunter committed the State College attendees to work for a herbarium in Dominica and the deepening of relations with the DAAS. Refreshments with a Caribbean culinary fare rounded out the program. And as the summer sun dipped below the Washington, DC skyline the Dominican students and future nation builders remarked on the skills learnt and relished the pleasant memories of this first internship program at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. In the words of Shawn Francis “we intend to implement all what we have learnt, for the betterment of
Dominica.” It was the consensus at that meeting that the programme would continue and be expanded next year. President of DSC, Dr. Donald C. Peters expressed his hope that this kind of international exposure for Dominica State College students will in the future encourage more students to enroll in programmes of biology and biological sciences.
Also, present at the closing ceremony were Gabriel Christian, DAAS Vice President and Dr. Thompson Fontaine, Economist.
congrats…………KD!!!!! i’m so proud of you!!!!! keep on excelling…
Valda couldn’t have said it better. Anyway, Congratulations Kelda and Shawn, you’ve made us proud. Thanks to the members of DAAS and the staff at the DSC for realizing the potential in our students. Special thanks to Miss Christian, Bro. Leslie, Mr Hunter, Mr. Gabriel Christian, Dr. Shillingford, Dr. Thompson Fontaine and family, you assured our children comfort home away from home. Thanks for your efforts and the interest in our children’s growth and development.
Grand Mercie!
CONGRATSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS MY DARLing Kelda D
If it was a beth it would have a million comments but is something positive no body paying attention, Shame on us!!! congrats Kelda keep up the good work and you to shawn good to see that our young men can still make us proud, Mr. Hunter i know you will always do your best to help our youth forward and Mr, Shillingford hats of to you and the many positive activities you have exposed our young people too. Kelda keep that smile.
I would like to extend congratulations to the students for their achievement.