Thirty-nine graduate from Campden Park Technical Institute

Saran Stapleton (right) receives food and drink award from teacher Sharice John

Their stint at the Campden Park Technical Institute gave Lindon Frederick and his peers a fresh start at life.

“Two years ago I sat in that exact position just as you are today with enthusiasm and joy filling my heart looking around at my fellow trainees, my fellow graduands, feeling more proud of their success that I was of my own,” Frederick told graduands of the Campden Park Technical Institute.

Frederick, who was valedictorian in 2018, made the remarks while delivering the feature address at the Institute’s 2020 graduation ceremony held at the Apostolic Faith Mission Church in Campden Park.

“When I was rewarded valedictorian of my year my greatest achievement was to share the comradery goal with my peers and that goal was to start over,” Frederick told the 39 graduands.

Lindon Frederick was the guest speaker at the graduation ceremony

He said that the school’s teachings gave them a new beginning to reshape their destiny and, “a second chance to reshape our former selves by recreating a brighter, better, more enthusiastic individual.”

Frederick said their success did not only uplift their household but also their communities and the country.

He encouraged the graduands to think of success and also to think innovatively.

“When life gives you lemons, cut those lemons, make lemonade and take it to the roadside and sell it, if that what it takes to achieve your goal, sure, go for it,” Frederick encouraged.

The former student said that students must never lose sight of the reason they entered the Campden Park Technical Institute.

“Keep in mind your goals, keep in mind the things you want to achieve. Make yourself, and your family, your community and this institute proud,” Frederick commented while noting that it is an honor to be a graduate of what he considers a prestigious establishment.

Tevin Matthews (right)receives award from welding teacher Terrance Providence

“As you journey to become chefs, restaurant owners, electricians, welders, businessmen and women of St Vincent and the Grenadines, keep your head high,” Frederick said while encouraging graduands to always boast, “I am a graduate of the Campden Park Technical Institute.”

He made the students recite: “I am not my past because my past is behind me, but I will use today to shape my future because that is ahead of me.”

The 2020 graduation ceremony saw Curtron Charles receiving recognition for being the best at electrical installation, Saran Stapleton the most outstanding at food and drink service, Eudina Pierre the best at the food preparation and cookery and Tevin Matthews the most outstanding at welding.

Stapleton was the valedictorian.

Principal at the school David Peniston

Principal at the school David Peniston noted that the school offers courses in electrical installation, food and drinks service, welding, and food preparation and cookery and have recently added cake baking and decoration and general office administration while they have re-introduced plumbing. The auto repair lab has recently been completed and they are awaiting the required equipment to get it up and running.

The class of 2020 started with 53 trainees in four Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) programs, but only 39 graduated for various reasons.