Use your opportunities, students
published: Wednesday | May 26, 2004

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I WOULD like to encourage students to make use of the opportunity of going to school and to not take anything for granted, because today they have a much better opportunity than I did as a child. I remember myself as a child growing up in the country in the parish of St. Mary. My mother had twelve of us, eight girls and four boys. It was very difficult to find lunch for all of us to go to school.

My dad being a farmer, mom a factory worker, we were left most times at home to pick pimento, or go to the market to sell pear, guinep, ackee or other fruits such as mango. Most of my bigger siblings did not go to school or went only half of the time, even with free lunch and uniform. I went to school barefooted just to learn to read and write.

I can remember when it was time for Common Entrance I studied hard and tried to be in school as much as I could, even running away from home to go to school without a bite to eat. At that time there were few adults in my community who could even spell cat. I promised myself that I would make something of myself. There was the saying that no one had ever passed exams from that school. I did not but I set the tone and five years later one girl passed.

I am imploring students today to absorb every bit of information handy. Be creative and learn everything. Be successful.

I am, etc.,

SHAYNE THOMAS

shaneder04@aol.com

3216 Wirtz Rd

Wirtz, Va. USA

Via Go-Jamaica