On Tuesday 23rd October, 2012, Pleasantville Secondary School celebrated the achievements of its students at an inaugural Awards and Recognition Ceremony.
This programme was planned weeks in advance by an Awards Committee made up of staff members and held to honour students who had excelled in the 2012 external CSEC and CAPE
examinations as well as the internal examinations at the lower levels, Forms One to Four.
The theme of the programme was 'Celebrating our Own'. The audience, consisting of awardees, parents, specially invited guests and the rest of the student body, was treated to cultural performances by our celebrated dance students, the reigning SANFEST dance category winners, with choreography by dance teacher at the school, Kieron Sargeant. Additionally, a group of sixth form students delivered a capella the song 'Price Tag', while the staff choir rendered a spirited version of the song, 'Yes You Can'.
The feature address was delivered by Senior Petroleum Engineer and past student, Donnie Durgadeen, whose inspirational words 'Where there is a will, there is always a way' (which served him
in good stead in his own personal development) were used to encourage all present to do the same. The chairperson, Allison Grant, reminded the audience of the words of singer/songwriter Donnie McClurkin, "If you conceive it and believe it, then you can achieve it!" Certainly, the awardees lived up to all of these inspiring words!
The highlight of the programme was the distribution of the awards. Parents and guardians applauded their children while students cheered their peers as the awardees crossed the stage.
Theron Thompson, Form Six, Modern Studies, was the top performer at CAPE while Dionne Paterson, Form Five, Business Studies was the outstanding student at CSEC.
Overall, it was a significant day in the life of the school and certainly a milestone that sets the tone for raising the standard of academic and co-curricular excellence.
The effort of the Awards Committee and all others who assisted in making this venture a success was greatly appreciated.