By K. NANCOO-RUSSELL

Freeport News Reporter

Success Training College (STC) kicked off its week of celebrations for Commence-ment Week yesterday with its Baccalaureate Thanksgiving Service at the Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King.

The ceremony, which began at 3 p.m., was designed as a time for the 32 graduates and their families to thank God for being able to successfully complete their programs of study.

Reverend Theophilus Rolle, superintendent Minister of St. Paul's Methodist Church, delivered a moving sermon, speaking to the themes of celebration and thanksgiving.

The service also featured performances by the Friends of Success Choir and Ensemble as well as the Mary, Star of the Sea Choir.

Eric Stewart, the director of the STC Freeport campus, noted that the thanksgiving service is an important part of the college's commencement activities.

"In all things, we must give God thanks. We are religious people and we know that without God we can do nothing and with Him all things are possible, even if it seems impossible and so we inculcate that in our graduates. In fact some classes at the college start with a prayer and so there is everything right about giving God thanks at this time," he said.

Camille Wyatt, co-chairperson of the 2008 graduating class of STC, who is graduating with an associate's degree in accounting, said she will always cherish the time she spent at the college, for its educational value as well as its life lessons.

"It was a learning experience for all of us. We've gained a lot of friendships that will last a lifetime. We hope that this legacy will continue with Success and grow to high and higher heights," she said.

Wyatt said she felt it was appropriate for a thanksgiving service to mark the beginning of Commencement Week, since the graduates all have much to be grateful for.

"Some of us started but weren't able to finish and those that actually finished the course, we're giving thanks that the Lord saw us that far.

"We had persons that passed away, that fell ill, and so on and so those of us that are here now we are giving thanks that we could actually be here and say that we're finally finished, it's finally over," she said.

Another graduate of the associate's degree in accounting program was Jecholiah Barnett, who is also chairman of the graduating class. She noted that the need to be thankful for what one has achieved is very important, and that persons must be cognizant of the fact that they can do nothing without God's help.

"I am thankful that God has brought me through this far. It took determination, me being married and having two kids and going to school every night of the week just to accomplish what I have accomplished here," she said.

Barnett issued a charge to others in the community to seriously consider furthering their education, no matter what their stage in life.

"Knowledge is power, and I would encourage every person out there, whether they are old or young, to go ahead and continue their education. Regardless of money issues, start, once you start God will find a way to complete it," she said.

Elma Knowles, a graduate of the business administration associate's degree program and mother of three said she too struggled with balancing her time for her career, her family and her studies.

"I am a working professional and a mother of three children and it has been a struggle, being a busy executive and also having to deal with the kids and their school work and their activities. I would say it is worth the struggle, because I am attaining my goal," she said, adding that she always wanted to go back to school.

Knowles said her children were her inspiration, seeing her through the times when she thought she could not go on.

Acknowledging that she was never a strong student in the area of mathematics, she shared a touching story about her son being able to help her with her math homework and provide assistance to her in that subject.

After the sermon, the graduates received greetings and a special tribute from recently elected Chief Councillor of the City of Freeport Alvin Smith.

The week of activities to honour the graduates will continue today, and will include courtesy visits to various officials as well as a visit to the Grand Bahama Home for The Aged, where a charitable donation will be made by the graduating class.

The President's Awards Banquet, to be held at Xanadu Beach Hotel on Friday night, will feature Dr. Bonnie Franks as guest speaker.

Finally, the annual commencement ceremony, marking the culmination of the week's activities, will take place on Sunday, July 27 at the Hilton Outten Conven-tion Centre on Settler's Way, at 3:00 p.m.

The distinguished commencement speaker will be Speaker of the House of Assembly Alvin Smith.

STC President Dr. Deswell Forbes will confer degrees on the 32 graduates who have completed the required two-year program of studies.

An invitation is extended to the public to come out and join the celebration.

This year, the Freeport campus of STC is also celebrating its 10 year anniversary, having started in 1998.

According to the director, as of this year, 328 persons would have graduated from this campus, having earned their Associates of Arts & Science degrees, and are now contributing significantly to various companies, not only in Grand Bahama, but also in other Family Islands.