One hundred and twenty-five students of the Berkeley Institute are slated for graduation this summer. One of the several mandatory requirements for graduation is for each student to go through a mock professional interview; that which was held this year on March 23.

These interviews are conducted by a number of community partners, human resources directors, former educators and Berkeley alumni who provide students with feedback on their presentations. Every year, without fail, interviewers are overwhelmed, fascinated and inspired by the great potential that presents itself through interacting with our graduating seniors.

The vast majority of these public school senior students present themselves with confidence and zeal. They clearly communicate their future goals and aspirations with enthusiasm and full intention. Many of these students are successfully juggling school and part-time jobs, dual enrolment, studies and club or country sporting activities — and some are keeping up with their studies while striving to resist temptations or to overcome serious social concerns.

Too often we believe that because the public school system in Bermuda needs more overall attention that those who are the benefactors of public education are lacking positive attributes. This is far, far from reality. The majority of our young public high school students are hard-working, focused and hopeful for a promising future, with many expressing the intention of giving back to their country.

There is no lack of aspirations, nor is there a lack of ability, intellect or motivation. In addition, the graduating students of the Berkeley Institute speak highly and with appreciation of positive support from their school, their teachers, their coaches, their families and, indeed, their peers, who share hopes of creating a better Bermuda. We, in turn, need to speak more positively about them and to be more supportive of their intentions.

• If you as a parent are surprised at this time of year that your child is not on the graduation list, then it is the fault of no one else but you. You have not been paying attention. There are quarterly reports and parent conferences. There are conversations you should be having with your child

• Thankfully, over the past several years, more and more enterprises offer scholarship and bursary funds for students with financial need. The Royal Gazette publishes a most useful and comprehensive scholarship supplement every year. The onus is on the student and the parents to start early to explore suitable scholarship opportunities and to do all they can to ensure the requirements of the scholarship are met. Then they must make sure that those applications are submitted in full and on time

• There are aspiring public school students who need mentorships, apprenticeships and on-the-job training to fulfil their roles in society as trades and technical experts. The trend of unskilled Bermudians will continue as long as there is the now-popular but unfortunate practice of importing lower-waged skilled persons from overseas. We implore business owners to embrace the community responsibility that once was and, with patience and guidance, inspire and train an interested young graduate to optimal skill levels

• Parents and families must not give up their support once the student graduates high school: assist with the development of a positive work ethic, and understand that salaries are commensurate with experience and skill development

• There are some students who do not fit the one mould that has been cast for senior school graduation. They are the students for whom, for example, a vocational/technical high school would be a better fit. Every year that we do not provide another route to graduation, we are purposely failing those students and denying the development of their potential

• This year’s graduates have advice for future graduates: get organised, stay focused on your goals, do not procrastinate with class assignments, keep in touch with your teachers, ask questions, keep company with peers with positive attitudes, aim to raise your GPA each quarter, learn from your mistakes

In Bermuda’s yearly totals of more than 300 high-school graduates, we have all that we need for a continually thriving community. We know the unfortunate results of those who are frustrated and tempted into illegitimate roles. It therefore benefits all of us to embrace the responsibility that ensures that these and future graduating seniors are guaranteed positive futures in their homeland.

• Cheryl-Ann Griffin is a retired educator who served in the Bermuda system for 38 years. She earned her undergraduate and graduate education degrees from West Virginia University and is an active member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority