Continue to break glass ceilings – Min Parag tells Mocha Arcadia’s top NGSA performers

Public Service Minister Sonia Parag on Saturday informed the top 10 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) performers from Mocha Arcadia and Barnwell North that their circumstances and environment do not define their potential nor their capabilities.

The awards ceremony was organised and conducted by the Mocha Women on Track Community Development Group.
During her address, she told the students that they should prepare for competition and other challenges that may come their way while pursuing higher levels of education.
“Education will get you everywhere, it is something you will hold as a valuable possession that no one else can take from you. By your own commitments and dedication to pushing yourself to do the best that you can do and coming out very well, it says that you can do even better, that you can rise above any challenge and make it. You are very interested in pursuing an educational path,” she told the students.
She also urged the young people to continue with their dedication and commitment so they continue to break glass ceilings and to continue pushing no matter what.
“Where you’re going and your motivation to get there will get you there irrespective of any obstacle or any challenge, we all have that in life no matter where we are going and what we are trying to achieve and any challenge in your way you have come this far.”

Additionally, she encouraged the parents and community officials who were present at the event to continue supporting their children.
“It takes a community to raise a child, you have your dedicated teachers, parents, neighbours, well-wishers who push you and challenge you and even when they are punishing you, they are challenging you, we learn every day, the world is your teacher, there are different experiences that you will have that will shape your life or in some way influence what you do or what you will become.”
The Minister also congratulated the students for overpowering the pandemic and crossing all hurdles while preparing for their examinations.
“There is no secret to success, it is hard work and dedication and don’t ever give up at a point because you think you have made it. You will always be learning,” she added.
Top performer Deshaun Garrrick, who scored 509 marks at NGSA, will be attending Queen’s College, and Annaldo LaRose, who scored 495 marks, will attending St Joseph’s High.
Celina Beckles, who scored 488 marks, along with Shonia Penniston who scored 482, Lennox Thornhill who scored 475, Senika Crandon who scored 465, and Rhema Cooper who scored 467 marks, will all be attending the New Central High School.
Jashoun Ward, however, who scored 455 marks, alongside Hosenia Moses, who scored 434 and Felicity Isaacs, who scored 440, will attend Charlestown Secondary School. Also present at the ceremony were the Director of Public Affairs within the Office of the Prime Minister, Michael Gordon and former Senior Education Officer Walter Alexander among other special invitees and members of the Mocha Women on Track group.