When Monique, the Coordinator of the Scholars Association, asked me to send a message to a thousand or more Lyford Cay Scholars who have graduated from the College of The Bahamas and Colleges abroad, I was more than delighted. In my last message to you, I tried to emphasize to you the value of being competitive. In revisiting my message to you, I have not changed my mind.
This time, I have decided to send you two messages for the price of one. The first of these is to encourage you to work continuously on strengthening your character and embracing future self-enhancement opportunities. Your college degree was only a start in your educational process. Secondly, I would like to emphasize to you the value of contributing.

1. Don’t Be a Couch Potato
We are all faced with many opportunities for continuing the educational process and keeping our minds active. Having an awareness of national and international events, an interest in politics, participation in sports, and church activities can all serve as vehicles to assist you in selecting an area where you can play a vital role in developing yourself, furthering your education and/or helping someone else to discover and maximize their true potential.

2. Make yourself available and aware of the opportunities for giving!
There are so many opportunities for you to contribute to the development of this great nation. You have been given an opportunity for an education; why not make it possible for someone else? When you think about this statement, consider possible ways of giving you have been confronted with. This could be monetary or it could be in some other form.
This is a country where young maturing men are at risk. Two thirds of the student population at COB are female. This is cause for concern. There are many ways that we can help. Programs such as Boy Scouts, the Governor General’s Youth Program, and many sports activities are available for these young men. I think of the mentor program in the United States started by General Colin Powell, which has been successful. There are so many young men who are crying out for positive role models.

As for the ladies, there are also many opportunities for continuing education. There are programs like Girl Guides, Single Mothers United, and many, many other opportunities for you to get involved.
Scholars, whether you are a male or female, becoming involved in the Lyford Cay Scholars Association is a step in the right direction. There is much that you can do in taking this Association to new heights.
There are many young boys and girls who are eagerly anticipating furthering their education some day. Why not get involved and assist these future scholars to walk in your footsteps in becoming pace-setters in The Bahamas?
I have only lived in The Bahamas for the past 20 years. Before moving here I was involved in a number of charitable and educational projects. Nothing I have ever done has given me more pleasure and satisfaction than those programs now being run by the Lyford Cay Foundation. You don’t have to be rich to find an activity that will give you the same joy. Go out, look for it and get involved!