Buju gives charge to Godfrey Stewart High graduates

Grammy-award winning entertainer Buju Banton has urged Godfrey Stewart High School's Class of 2020 to "be the change" that they seek, telling the graduands that the future is dependent of them.

The reggae superstar, whose given name is Mark Myrie, was the keynote speaker at the Westmoreland-based school's graduation on Wednesday. The ceremony was hosted virtually and streamed via Zoom, YouTube and Facebook.

"This marks a milestone in each and every one of your lives. As you move on to further your education, it is expected that you will be much more focused and dedicated to the path that you have already paved and continue to pave, relentlessly pursuing your education to be the change that you seek," Buju Banton said in his pre-recorded message.

"Tomorrow's future depends on you, so do not hesitate to seize the moment. These are extraordinary times, and as you can see, we are taking extraordinary measures to reach out to you. So I wish you well, and I wish you all the best on your next academic pursuit," the entertainer added.

Buju Banton did not perform any songs during his presentation but music was nevertheless part of the proceedings, as renditions of Koffee's Toast and a Spanish version of Mariah Carey's Hero were sung at different points by members of the graduating class.

Joint Address

Meanwhile, in a joint address, valedictorians Jevaughn Malcolm and Jodiann Morris said that while COVID-19 might change the way they and their batchmates live their daily lives, it would not restrict them from reaching out to others, thanks to technology.

"2020 has left an indelible mark on how we approach teaching and learning. As budding adults, let us strategically change the way we approach the world. Our batch is undoubtedly saturated with earth-shakers, world changers, the new generation," said Malcolm.

"Technology, being the new phenomenon, has taught us that not even social distance can keep us at a distance," Morris declared.