GARD Center – Caribbean Youth Empowerment Program (CYEP) Graduation Ceremony was held on Thursday, 24 October, 2013, at the Ebenezer Methodist Church on St. Mary’s Street, St. John’s.
This celebrated the completion of phase 2 of this four (4) year training programme, which began in early 2009.
Seventy-two young men and women graduated after successfully completing training in Basic Cookery; Computer Repair; Food and Beverage Service; Garden Technician; Office Administration and Welding.  These youth were also required to undergo a period of Internship after their classroom training. (See picture to left, with a part of the graduates and audience).
Congratulatory remarks were given to the graduates by, Ms. Karen-Mae Hill, Managing Director of Trium Bank & Trust Ltd., one of our Internship/Job Placement companies and Her Excellency, Deborah Mae Lovell, Ambassador, Embassy of Antigua and Barbuda and Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda to OAS.
Mrs. Joanna Ramos-Romero, Program Manager of the International Youth Foundation, donor partner, (pictured left) gave remarks on behalf of her organisation.  Sen. Shawn Nicholas, shared remarks from the Hon. Dr. Winston Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, who was unable to attend due to other commitments.  The Feature Address was ably delivered by Rev. Belinda Daniel, Pastor of the Old Road & Urlings, Moravian Churches, and challenged the youth to use training received as the first positive step in their lives and to continue to improve their lives from this point.
Ms. Kiosha Joseph, Office Administration graduate delivered the Welcome remarks, (pictured left, giving her comments, with the Master of Ceremonies, Ms. Cleon Athill, looking on).  Ms. Deuce Nanton, Basic Cookery graduate gave remarks on behalf of the graduates, while Ms. Merlisa Harris, Office Administration graduate entertained those present with a Poem.
Specially invited guest,  Her Excellency, Dame Louise Lake-Tack, Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda presented the top students with their prizes.
This training phase saw three young ladies emerge into the top spots.  Ms. Tiffany Fletchman from Tour Guiding; Ms. Kiosha Joseph from Office Administration and Ms. Deuce Nanton from Basic Cookery, who emerged as the overall top student.  All 3 of these ladies each received in addition to a special certificate, a book and stylus from the GARD Center and a gift packet from the St. John’s Cooperative Credit Union (SJCCU), another partner of the Center.
Presentation of other Certificates was distributed by Mr. Craig Richards, General Manager, Caribbean Services, one of our Internship/Job Placement companies, and Ms. Anika Aska, District Officer, North East Zone, Agricultural Extension Division and GARD Center Instructor.