The global pandemic did not stop students from excelling in the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) examination, including the top ten SEA students from Point Fortin. Just as in previous years, these top ten were inducted into LNG producer Atlantic’s Point Fortin’s Finest Leadership Development Programme, via a virtual event held recently.
The 2020 inductees into Atlantic’s longest running youth development initiative were Tianna Andrews (St. Joseph’s Convent, San Fernando), Toni Bedassie (currently attending The Oxbridge International School transferred from Iere High Siparia), Kirell Ferdinand (Naparima Girls’ High), Kesi Flanders (St. Joseph’s Convent, San Fernando), Saveera Hosein (ASJA Girls’ College, San Fernando), Aksel Johnson (Naparima College), Nikolai Philip (Presentation College, San Fernando), Ethan Ramjattan (ASJA Boys’ College, San Fernando), Arjun Singh (Naparima College) and Ellee Ward (St. Joseph’s Convent, San Fernando).
The Point Fortin’s Finest is Atlantic’s 22-year-old legacy initiative which allows students to join the ranks of currently 209 other high-achieving SEA students and receive financial support and leadership development training throughout their secondary and tertiary level education.
At the event, Atlantic’s COO Roy Yongo, offered words of encouragement to the new cohort and praised their work ethic inside the current unprecedented circumstances.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused us all to change the way we work, learn, play, and socialise. But even so, I am very proud of the hard work and dedication you have all shown in achieving great success even during these times,” Yongo said. “Not only has the pandemic taught us to be tough, but it has also taught us to be thankful for all we are afforded and to be helpful to those in need. Being a good citizen also involves being a caring citizen, and Atlantic will support you in being agents of change in your communities. So there are three simple things for you, our Finest, to remember: Be curious because learning never stops; there is potential in each of you to change the world; and with discipline and determination, there is no limit to things you can achieve.”
Sustainability Officer Ian Ochoa explained that in addition to a restructure of some of the offerings of the Point Fortin’s Finest Leadership Development Programme to protect the health and safety of participants and adhere to Ministry of Health guidelines, other elements of the initiative were being amended to further enhance the experience for students.
“Through the use of a virtual platform, we will expose students to entrepreneurial training which can help them to hone in on their career paths,” Ochoa said. “We will also engage similar international youth groups for virtual exchanges and tours with the objective of helping our Point Fortin’s Finest students learn and connect with others around the globe without even leaving their homes.”
The Point Fortin’s Finest programme will also focus on its mentorship component, which will pair incoming inductees with senior students who will provide them with guidance and support.