Bermuda College students' joy at graduation

FRIDAY, MAY 20: This year’s Bermuda College graduates discussed their hopes and dreams as they prepared to receive their degrees yesterday.

Many expressed a wish to enter higher education then return to the island to pursue their careers.

Kelly Creary, 23, of Sandys, is looking forward to studying psychology at Georgia State University after achieving her Associate of Arts degree.

She said: “It’s really nice to graduate but it has been a really good experience at the college.”

Miss Creary hopes to pursue a career in speech therapy.

Philip Dyer Jr, 22, of Pembroke, earned an Associate degree in Arts and Science. He said: “My plans are to work and save then I hope to go to college in the UK or Canada.”

Mr Dyer is interested in sociology but “I would also like to get my pilot’s aeronautical licence”.

Education

Beverly-Dawn Knights, a part-time mature student, earned an Associate Arts and Science degree.

The mother-of-one, in her 50s, works at the Berkeley Institute as an office administrator.

She said: “I’d like to use this degree as a stepping stone to higher education. One never stops learning, that’s how I see it.”

Zico Mello, 21, of St David’s, also earned an Associate Arts and Science degree. He said: “This degree is a stepping stone in the right direction for my career.

“I am coming back to Bermuda College for the Kent Law Programme. I will definitely be coming back to my island home.”

Kelly Pacheco, 24, of Pembroke, was graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting, with Management as a minor.

She studied online at Bermuda College in partnership with Mount St Vincent University in Canada.

She said: “It’s lovely to graduate, a relief. I will now be studying for my chartered accountant -qualification.”

Shawne Stephens, 49, of Devonshire, earned an Associate degree in Business and achieved the highest GPA in the business division.

She said: “I want to do my Bachelors degree in the fall through the college and Mount Saint Vincent University, then go into finance or insurance.”

Dr Barbara O’Shaughnessy, Business and Hospitality lecturer, praised the camaraderie between her graduates.

She said: “They all worked together as a team and this really got everyone through.”

The 33rd Annual Commencessment Ceremony was held in a marquee, with red banners to reflect the college colours.

Craig Laws, an alumni and the managing director for technology company Brilliant Solutions, was the guest speaker.

Alesha Page of the Class of 2011 gave the student address.