POND ISLAND--Thirteen students graduated from University of St. Martin’s Preparatory Pre-USM Programme during a ceremony held on Saturday, October 1.
In remarks at the ceremony, Education Minister Silveria Jacobs encouraged the graduates and stressed the importance of programmes such as the Pre-USM, which guides young people to take steps to obtain their tertiary education degree by enrolling in a college/university.
President of the USM Foundation Valerie Giterson-Pantophlet applauded the graduates on taking the necessary steps to accomplish their ultimate goal which is becoming a college- educated person. Giterson-Pantophlet also acknowledged those students who made “extra sacrifices” to participate in the programme. Some students had “enormous responsibilities” such as leaving their children at home or working full-time, but still managed to attend classes every day and passed successfully, USM said in a press release on Tuesday.
Student Katiusca Rodriguez received an award for having the highest average score. Rodriguez was presented the award by English instructor Dorothy Richardson. Richardson said she was so proud to present the award to Rodriguez as she could recall the first time meeting Rodriguez in elementary school.
When Rodriguez started school she could not speak English, but within four months she managed to speak the language fluently. “When she graduated from sixth grade she told me that she is not going to remain on that level, but she had dreams to go higher and higher. The day I got the list of the Pre-USM students and I saw her name, I said yes she made it,” Richardson said.
The Pre-USM programme is a 10-month college preparatory programme which allows students who previously graduated with a TKL, PKL/Preparatory Secondary Vocational Education (PSVE) diploma, to acquire the necessary skills, concepts and experiences to be admitted into a degree programme at USM or to be prepared for a college placement test elsewhere. The programme entails General Education Diploma (GED) tutor classes, preparatory courses in math, English, life sciences and languages. Students also participate in a job placement programme. Once students successfully complete the programme, they will earn a GED diploma and exemptions from skills courses if enrolled in an USM academic degree programme.
The Pre-USM coordinator thanked the persons and institutions in the community who offered their assistance in making the skills courses successful. Persons interested in applying to the programme should consult with USM’s Admissions Office or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
