Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) Board of Directors’ Chairman, Monie R. Captan, has challenged graduates of the Haywood Institute to apply three characteristics in their educational sojourn for better and greater future. They are discipline, integrity, and vision, components of the road map to a good successful life.
He therefore encouraged the graduates to always strive with commitment and determination to actualize their dreams.
Addressing the 52nd commencement program of the Haywood Mission Institute recently in Monrovia, the former foreign minister said the nation will go down the drain if its people lack vision, referencing Proverb 20:18, stating to the graduates that it is their vision and dreams that will make them see opportunities and go for them.
Captan, speaking on the topic: “What Kind Of Person Do I Want To Be Tomorrow?”, said, “If you want to be an educated person, you have to do it with competence, and also have skills,” adding that competence is not limited to only academic achievements, but goes beyond that.
He said educational achievements cannot be taken away from you when attained with discipline, integrity, and vision to face life’s challenges, live your dreams, as well as to better your family, nation, and the society at large.
Captan said if you want to develop as an individual, it is through education and discipline and integrity, noting it is through education that the daughter of a minnow can become a director, and the son of a mine worker can become the head of the mine, a child of a farmer can become a president.
He furthered that education can lift you from bottom to the top, and that it is the engine or pathway to personal growth for the good things life has to offer.
Teaching on integrity, he said it is when you believe that the truth matters, and is the adherence to moral ethical principles, soundness of moral character, and honesty.
This is a quality of continuous regard for moral principles that you believe in, so that people respect and trust you. He also added that integrity is firm adherence to a code of moral or artistic values, which has the propensity to connect you both near and far in life’s journey.
The LEC Board Director informed the graduates further that discipline, integrity and vision must be their major achievements, despite their stature in society or family background. Saying without these characters, one’s education is meaningless.
Captan noted that if you are fully educated with all the degrees and not credible, your education is questioned; therefore, do all within your power to be disciplined, honest, and to have vision to go win the confidence of people.
Captan admonished more than 100 Haywood Mission Institute graduates to be focused, study, and compete with their counterparts to realize their dreams, in order to be useful citizens that the nation will count on.
The valedictorian of the class, in his address on the topic: “Consistency in Education,” told his fellow graduates and friends that their efforts of getting a high school certificate is just the beginning, and they should press forward for higher education.
Philip J. Kollie said they were committed throughout their educational journey, that’s why they have received clearance to move on to higher standards in life, and to greater competition.
He said further that he and his fellow graduates are determined and devoted students with sound mind and good morals, and are also aware that getting a high school certificate is not the end, but the beginning.
Prior to the graduation, the baccalaureate service was held, and the preacher was Rev. Eric S. Gbogar of the Love Center Ministries, located in Old Road, Sinkor.
The Liberian Clergyman spoke on the theme: “Seeing From Where You Are”, with text from II Kings 6:1-4.
He said when one loses his/her sight, his movement is determined by those who still have sight, because they can see.
He admonished the graduates to continue to have sight for further education, as acquiring a high school certificate is not enough.
He prayed for the graduates that God in his infinite love, mercy, would grant them sight to pursuit higher heights and better education for their families, nation, and the world at large.
He said the nation Liberia is depending on the next generation for tomorrow for the future growth and development of the country.
Rev. Gbogar reminded the graduates that today’s preparation determines what they will become tomorrow.
For his part, the Principal/Administrator of the Haywood Mission Institute, Bishop Leo M. Simpson, lauded the administrative staff and parents for their continuous support to the school.
He assured everybody of his administration’s readiness to provide quality and sound education at all levels at the H.M.I, and at the same time encouraged the Parent/Teachers Association to continue to build the confidence in the school.
