Christian Stokes, Senior Vice President for Business Development at the Victoria Mutual Building Society and former Jamaica Bobsled team member has advised students at The University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona campus that they must unlearn many of the things they have learned. Mr. Stokes was giving the keynote address at UWI, Mona’s annual Student Awards Ceremony held on Saturday, April 17 at the Assembly Hall at Mona.

“Let us unlearn lowering our expectations of the world and lowering our hopes for ourselves” he charged noting that the pain of living often causes this to happen. He urged the students to instead, learn to separate their dreams from their means. “Don’t edit your expectations” by speaking negatively to themselves because the world can only move forward if they dream, he said.

The guest speaker noted in an address designed to motivate the hundreds of students, parents and friends present, that they should “unlearn limitations…unlearn settling for less and unlearn fear of failure.”

Organized by the Office of Student Services, the ceremony was designed to recognize students who have received scholarships and bursaries to attend the UWI, as well as the donors of these awards. Over 50 scholarships and bursaries were presented at the ceremony which also recognized over two hundred students who have excelled in co-curricular activities, service and leadership during the 2003/2004 academic year.

The Premier Award for Leadership went to 2003/2004 President of the Guild of Students, Junior Rose, while Premier Awards for Service went to Stacy-Ann Robinson and Denarto Dennis. O’neil Simpson received the Premier Award for Culture. Premier Award recipients have excelled in at least one sport, culture or service activity while representing the UWI. They are also highly regarded as role models in discipline, team building and human relations.
-30-