Eight young people received community praise during the Care Learning Centre’s 2018 graduation ceremony yesterday.

The Mount Hill-based centre, which offers alternative routes to completing their education, commended the students for passing their high school-level General Education Diploma tests.

Students were awarded high school diplomas and prizes recognising those with exceptional skills and perseverance. John Rankin, the Governor, was in attendance.

Former government minister Neletha Butterfield, who founded the school in 1983, thanked attendees for their generosity and belief in the students’ potential to learn.

She said: “Today you have witnessed the achievement of our young males and females, and we say thank you to your support and faithful giving to this worthy education development programme, and helping those within our community seek higher education.”

Guests, including church leaders and ministry members, heard of each graduate’s hardships, accomplishments and future plans.

Ana DeSousa, 30, was honoured for obtaining her high-school diploma which she needed for her job at Butterfield Bank.

Tariq Simons and Jahnari Crane were also honoured for achieving college-level scores on their GED tests.

Mr Crane, the class valedictorian, congratulated his fellow graduates for their success, and told them: “I never knew I would feel this honoured. Everything is hard before it is easy.”

Other graduates at the ceremony were Acacio Alberto, Naria Smith and Jahquori Burgess-Thomas.

Antanell Weeks-Adams was unavailable for the ceremony, and another chose to remain anonymous.

Ms Butterfield told graduates: “Along the path to success you may have to conquer doubts, setbacks and unfairness, but when the path comes to an end you will find that there’s no greater joy than making your dream come true.

“Go on to bigger and better things because lifelong learning is a journey.”