Will you use your talent to help others?

For most of this month, across the island, we have gathered in support of our island’s most precious resource, our children.

Whether it is from college, primary, middle or high school, Graduation Day is a day of strong emotions. Parents see their babies reaching another milestone, moving them closer to making their dreams a reality.

Teachers see the seeds of information that they have planted in their students’ minds blossom into greater knowledge and understanding. For students, many are saying goodbye to a place that has been their educational home for so many years, parting ways with some of the friends they have made and leaving a small part of their childhood behind.

Bermudian graduates, you have received much from Bermuda and your parents, teachers and your country expect much from you. Bermudians have sacrificed much so that you may have the opportunity to earn an education

In other countries, many young people have been denied the opportunity to learn, and denied the chance to better themselves.

In Bermuda, our people are committed to education as means of becoming not only better workers, entrepreneurs, pastors, and politicians, but as a means of developing Bermudians that will make a positive contribution to our island. We are committed to education because we are convinced that only through intellectual progress can Bermuda move forward, Bermudians come into our own, and shape the world around us.

Marcus Garvey once said: “We Are Arbiters of Our Own Destiny. God and Nature first made us what we are, and then out of our own creative genius we make ourselves what we want to be. Follow always that great law.”

What does that mean? It means that each of us possesses a talent, a gift, a blessing that has been bestowed upon us. The purpose of education is to enhance your natural talents in order to pursue, and fulfill, your life’s purpose. Thus, by helping yourself, you can serve others. So what will you do with your talent? Will you nurture it?

The choices are yours

Develop it? Use it to improve your condition and the conditions of those around you? Will you use it to bring joy and hope to others? Or will you squander it? The choice is yours and yours alone. You can make yourself, what YOU want to be. Let no one pull you down, let no one destroy your ambition, let no one hold you back.

To the next generation of Bermudians, despite the negativity you may hear about you, your island and our economy, your path is not yet written. The choices that you make, the friends you choose and where you choose to place your energy, effort, and time, will shape what you make of yourself.

As Marcus Garvey once said, “The ends you serve that are selfish will take you no further than yourself, but the ends you serve that are for all, in common, will take you into eternity.”

Students, you have met the tasks set forth to you by your teachers.

You have passed all the tests and overcome all the obstacles, bringing you to this latest accomplishment in a lifelong journey forward and upward. You should all be very proud and know that we are very proud of you.

Parents, I salute you. You have guided, cajoled, pushed, encouraged, and in some cases dragged your children kicking and screaming towards the success they have earned. Thank you for doing your part to positively shape your family and Bermuda’s future. Your children have, entered the next stage of their journey. 

Their path is exciting, inspiring, and terrifying at the same time. Yet each of us should be filled with hope and joy in the Bermuda our children will build. 

Throughout the island, the children you have raised, the students you have taught, the youth you have mentored, are the seeds from which greatness will grow.

To all our young people, I wish you much success and eagerly await the news of all the great things you will accomplish in the future. 

Marc Bean is Leader of the Progressive Labour Party.