Dame Pereira Urges Graduates to Thrive
Dame Janice M. Pereira told H. Lavity Stoutt Community College’s Class of 2026 that thriving comes from action, not perfection, and urged graduates to pair ambition with empathy and service. Speaking at the 33rd Graduation Exercises under the theme “Time to Thrive,” she encouraged students to view failure as part of growth and to use their education to benefit the Virgin Islands community.
Pereira delivered a challenge and encouragement to the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) Class of 2026 during the institution’s 33rd Graduation Exercises on June 11, 2026, at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Road Town. Speaking under the ceremony’s theme, “Time to Thrive,” Dame Pereira told graduates that college is far more than a place to earn a credential — it is a training ground for courage, character, discipline and purpose. “The question before you is not simply whether you will succeed, but whether you will thrive in action — whether you will transform your ideas, talents, and dreams into meaningful effort that shapes both your future and the world around you,” she said.
Dame Pereira warned against waiting for perfect conditions before acting. “Too often, people wait for perfect conditions, confidence, certainty, and applause. But thriving does not come from waiting; it comes from moving forward despite uncertainty,” she told the new graduates. She emphasised that perfection paralyses while purpose energises, noting many successful people faced rejection and failure before making their greatest contributions.
Addressing the community role of education, Dame Pereira said personal achievement gains deeper meaning when directed toward others. She urged graduates to grow not only in knowledge but also in empathy, using their skills to solve problems, uplift people and leave each place better than they found it. “Your education is not merely a privilege for personal advancement; it is also an opportunity to become a source of hope, innovation, and compassion in your community,” she said.
The keynote speaker reaffirmed that failure is not the opposite of success but often a necessary part of the journey. She encouraged graduates to learn, adapt and continue moving forward despite obstacles, reminding them that where they started matters less than the dreams and determination that brought them to this milestone.
Looking ahead, Dame Pereira urged the class to pursue significance as well as success: match vision with discipline, passion with persistence and knowledge with action. She also advised graduates to surround themselves with people who believe in and lift them, borrowing belief on days when their own faith falters.
The address served as a reminder to graduates and BVI residents that the territory’s future depends on young people willing to act, innovate and care for their communities. (Report adapted from Virgin Islands News Online.)
Primary source: VINO