The tables were turned this past Sunday as proud children looked on as their parents received certificates at the St. Croix District’s fifth Parent University (PU) graduation ceremony at the John H. Woodson Junior High School auditorium.
Setting the tone for the elaborate ceremony was class speaker Juliet Davis, who completed all of the five PU sessions. The usually jovial, fun-loving Davis was serious and poignant in her address, not mincing words when she called out for more prayer and religious activities in school and family life to help curb the surge of criminal activity in the community.
The guest speaker was St. Thomas native and motivational speaker Devin “Dutchie” Robinson, who encouraged parents to become active stakeholders in their child’s education.
Robinson supported the class speaker’s sentiments saying, “We’ve removed prayer and not replace it with anything. Crime only works when good people don’t.” Robinson charged the parent-graduates to invest in buying books for the home. “The only books in the home are usually textbooks. When we have unlimited resources, we waste more,” he said, urging parents to create boundaries and stay away from purchasing electronic “gadgets” for their young children."
Education Commissioner La Verne Terry congratulated the honorees and acknowledged that they have become role models for the children, other parents and educators. Mae Agnes Brewster, who completed three sessions at the Parent University, was overjoyed and cried when Terry recognized and awarded her an all-expense paid trip to Puerto Rico for recruiting at least seven more parents to the program.
Other well wishers included Lieutenant Governor Gregory Francis, Virgin Islands Delegate Donna Christensen, St. Croix Administrator Dodson James and St. Croix Deputy Superintendent Maria Encarnacion.
Parent University organizer and St. Croix District School Community Relations Director Janet Brow said the five sessions of parental training offered a broad variety of topics related to raising children, education and social issues affecting families and the community. About 83 PU graduates were honored at the ceremony Sunday. A total of 201 parents received certificates since classes began on March 24, 2009. Classes were held at the St. Croix Career and Technical Education Center.
