The top ten (10) SEA students from the Borough of Point Fortin were the “toast of the town” recently as they were officially welcomed into the Point Fortin’s Finest Leadership Development programme, the longest running Sustainability initiative of LNG producer Atlantic.
At a special ceremony held at Atlantic’s Point Fortin Administration Office on September 21, Atlantic’s Chief Executive Officer Nigel Darlow praised the diligence and discipline of the newly inaugurated students, and emphasized Atlantic’s commitment to activating the leadership potential of the next generation. “The Point Fortin’s Finest programme allows Atlantic to contribute to your overall development – not just your studies,” Darlow said.
Joining the Point Fortin’s Finest programme this year are Sydnie Bacchus (St. Joseph’s Convent, San Fernando), Quiela Balgobin (ASJA Girls’ College, San Fernando), Darnell Garcia (Iere High School), Cassie Ghouralal (St. Joseph’s Convent, San Fernando), Mishael Husband (Vessigny Secondary School), Saidah Joseph (Holy Faith Convent, Penal), Jordain Millan (Iere High School), Antonia Richards (ASJA Girls’ College, San Fernando), Raegan Seales (Holy Faith Convent, Penal) and Jiaqi Yang (ASJA Girls’ College, San Fernando).
Established in 2000, the Point Fortin’s Finest Leadership Development Programme has since rewarded 179 young persons of Point Fortin and environs for exceptional performance in the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) Examinations through financial support over the course of seven years of secondary schooling and university grants to cover three years of tertiary level education.
The students also participate in annual vacation camps, which incorporate field trips to places of national interest, team-building exercises and workshops on leadership, self-esteem and integrity. Atlantic also offers a World of Work programme to the students during the July/August vacation period, which offers practical, real-world experiences in various fields including Finance, Engineering and Human Resources.
Darlow personally congratulated each student and wished them success for the new school year. Point Fortin’s Finest Alumni member Tenoka Williams shared with the inductees her experience in Atlantic’s World of Work programme, reflecting on how she was able to build confidence and professional character as a vacation intern. Williams noted that at her current job she was able to “speak the corporate language, dress appropriately, conduct myself in a professional manner and have industrial understanding of Civil Engineering, even though I had a geological background.”
Spoken Word artist and UWI lecturer Amílcar Sanatan also addressed the new Point Fortin’s Finest and encouraged them to continue pursuing excellence in all areas of their lives. “Success is winning; greatness is taking your win and turning it into something that changes the world forever,” Sanatan said.