Children took photos Wednesday evening as their parents, beaming with pride, took the stage at Charlotte Amalie High School to accept their graduation certificates from the first cycle of Parent University.
The 104 graduates, dressed in black and white and wearing purple graduation caps, shared many laughs and applauded enthusiastically during the two and a half hour ceremony.
Parent University student Linda Christian, mother of Quianna, a senior at CAHS, and Dominique, a student at the University of the Virgin Islands, and grandmother of Blessyn, a second grader at Gladys Abraham Elementary School, spoke to her fellow graduates from the podium, offering words of encouragement to them.
Although reticent to speak when asked by a Parent University staff member, Christian forced herself to get out of her comfort zone and urged fellow parents to do the same.
“Get involved and stay involved,” said Christian. “Make a difference in your children’s school experiences.”
Filled with enthusiasm for the Parent University program, Christian said, “This has been an empowering, informative learning experience for me in ways that I never imagined.”
Referring to all of the books and reading material available on the subject of raising kids, Christian much preferred the learning experience provided by Parent University.
“This method of interactive, classroom-style exchange of ideas, information and instruction has been so effective and rewarding,” she said.
Christian is a parent volunteer at CAHS and this year, as her youngest daughter graduates from CAHS, she celebrates her 35th anniversary of her own graduation from the same school.
Christian’s daughter, Quianna, who wants to be a special education teacher, assisted Parent University staff by playing with toddlers whose parents were attending classes.
Pastor Lennox Zemore, whose class on motivating students towards excellence was a favorite among attendees, also took the stage to speak to the graduates.
“Be careful what you program into the hearts of your children,” Zemore cautioned. “Say kind words to your child. Find reasons to smile and laugh. Laughter should be a part of your home. Love your children. Hug them a lot and say I love you.”
Jeanette Smith-Barry, insular superintendent of schools for the St. Thomas-St. John school district, commended everyone for getting through a very successful cycle of Parent University. She gave special thanks to the 15 men who were graduating from the program.
“It takes the men to raise the boys,” she said. “We know we need the men to teach these young men the kinds of husbands and fathers they should be.”
Smith-Barry thanked all of the class presenters for “motivating, educating and empowering parents.”
Dr. Celia Victor, who presented a class on managing disruptive behavior disorders, loved watching the parents take advantage of this learning opportunity.
“They really want to improve their childrens’ lives and become better parents.”
Victor and Cira Burke, a former school principal who taught four different sessions, sat in the front row cheering and congratulating graduates as they left the stage after receiving their “diplomas”.
Following a closing prayer by Parent University graduate Annette Mauvais, graduates and their families and friends were treated to refreshments provided by the Department of Education.
The second cycle of Parent University begins at 6 p.m. at Lockhart Elementary School on March 2, 2010. Further information can be obtained by contacting Sharon Richardson at (340) 775-2250 ext. 8530.
