More than 100 young people donned caps and gowns on Wednesday at The Berkeley Institute’s graduation ceremony. Devonshire was blessed to see some of its sons and daughters among those numbers.

Almost everyone is related in the close-knit communities of Hermitage Road, Vesey Street, Loyal Hill, Green Acres and Devon Spring Road. If they are not related by blood, they are connected by marriage or other ties. So, naturally, young people have grown up playing together on the very same streets and fields within our parish for generations.

Their bondings become lifelong.

So it was with great pride to see three young people who had grown together become high school graduates on the same day.

Our future

Jahstice Keitha Veronica Grant, from Devon Spring Road, has been a consistent track athlete in the 100 metres, 200 metres and relay events. She is a former member of the Bermuda Pacers Track Club and is now with Tre Houston’s club. So it was no surprise that she knew her way around the field at Flora Duffy Stadium and on to the stage to collect her diploma.

Amon Robinson, from Hermitage Road, applied vigour to overcome some academic shortfalls. He mastered mathematics and other essential subjects. He had a supportive family and school structure. With great pride, Berkeley principal Keisha Douglas announced that Amon was the recipient of the Principal’s Cup. This announcement was a pleasant surprise to all who love Amon.

Razi Garland, from Vesey Street, was deputy head boy and Green House captain. Unfortunately for him, his beloved Green House could not match Gold House during the annual sports day. Nevertheless, he remained focused academically and secured acceptance into both the Bermuda College and St John’s University. Along with acceptance letters, he has been granted more than $100,000 in scholarship funding from St John’s University, The Centennial Bermuda Foundation, and The H. Sinclair R. White Scholarship.

Parish pride

The above young persons have been a crucial part of the Parish Pride Project for the past three years. On many weekends when they could have been out frolicking with friends, they dedicated their time to keep the neighbourhood of Devonshire free of excess vegetation, paint bus stops, and learn about property maintenance.

They have learnt how to work together as a team to get tasks accomplished. As the saying goes, they knew their assignments and achieved them. They exemplify that our parish’s primary asset is our family bonds. We are indeed so very proud of them.

• Christopher Famous is the government MP for Devonshire East (Constituency 11). You can reach him on WhatsApp at 599-0901 or e-mail at carib_pro@yahoo.com