Graduates from the Lannaman's Preparatory School were encouraged to maintain a balance between a healthy mind and a healthy body, months ahead of their transition to high school in September.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, which was held at The Jamaica Pegasus on Monday night, Dr Orville Taylor urged the students to be careful of exposure to negative influences.

Drawing on memories at his alma mater St George's College, Taylor, a lecturer at the University of the West Indies, said that his identity was tested during his years at the school but he learnt to be comfortable with himself.

Negative concepts

"The other half of it is not putting junk in your minds. If you keep negative concepts in your mind, then you will put your feet on other people's head because you don't think good enough about yourself," he said.

Taylor, a columnist in The Sunday Gleaner, also encouraged the students to eat a balanced diet, limiting the intake of junk food which could result in lifestyle diseases and cut life expectancy.

He reminded them of the importance of keep physically active.

Taylor encouraged the boys to seek positive role models and not be swayed by peer pressure.

He also told the young ladies to cherish their bodies as they develop and mature.

90 per cent passes

Forty-six students graduated, with the school achieving more than 90 per cent passes for traditional high schools.

Sebastian Reid, who passed for Campion College, was named top boy for the graduating class. There was a tie for top girl between Minkah Amen Ra and Ashley Gail Wright, who passed for St Andrew High and Wolmer's Girls' schools, respectively.